Arsene Wenger: I admire and like N’Golo Kante a lot

Matt Stead

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his love of Leicester midfielder and transfer target N’Golo Kante.

Kante earned plaudits around the continent for his performances in Leicester’s Premier League title-winning campaign this past season, with Arsenal among the many clubs reported to be interested.

It was reported last month that the Frenchman ‘had chosen’ to move to the Gunners, although Ligue Un champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been perennially linked.

The 25-year-old, who was selected in Didier Deschamps’ national side for the European Championship this summer, has a release clause in his contract with the Foxes, and could join new signing Granit Xhaka at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking to beIN Sports, Wenger did little to allay the rumours, admitting his fondness of his compatriot.

“I admire and like N’Golo Kante a lot – it gives you ideas,” he said. “He gives you the feeling that the higher the level he plays at, the more at ease he is. We are talking about numbers. He has the most interceptions in Europe and by far.

“He has incredible quality. He feels the game, only very few people can do that. He’s always where he needs to be. It is very rare to have that in the central midfielder. Not always orthodox, but always in the right place.”