Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger admits admiration for N'Golo Kante but remains coy on possible summer move

Arsene Wenger remained coy when asked about his interest in signing Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante during the summer transfer window but admitted his admiration for the player. The France international played a key role in taking the Foxes to the Premier League title and was nominated for the PFA player of the year alongside teammates Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined the King Power Stadium outfit last summer from Ligue 1 side Caen and has gone on to have a stellar debut campaign in the Premier League, which has attracted interest from all the big guns, including Arsenal. He is leading the way in all the departments for the defensive midfielder's this season with 158 tackles and 148 interceptions thus far.

Kante's impressive showing has seen him being called up to the French national team and is guaranteed to be part of Didier Deschamps' 23-man squad for the European Championship finals in his homeland later this year. Wenger is a known admirer and believes there will be a long queue of suitors should Leicester be willing to cash in on him this summer.

"I think he will play in the European Championships and for me he was one of the players of the year in the Premier League," Wenger said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"I cannot tell you anything now. He is under contract with Leicester. I am sure if Leicester want to sell him, they will find some buyers," the Frenchman added.

According to French publication RMC Sport, the Gunners have made Kante a priority signing during the upcoming summer transfer window and have already contacted the players' representatives with regards to discussing a potential switch to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are said to be willing to meet the midfielder's reported €25m (£19.7m, $28.5m) release clause but are likely to face competition from Premier League big spenders Chelsea and Manchester City.