Chelsea emerge favourites to sign N'Golo Kante amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United

Chelsea have emerged favourites to sign N'Golo Kante from Leicester City, with the Frenchman revelling at the prospect of playing under new manager Antonio Conte. The 25-year-old has offers from Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus but is willing to snub their advances to unite with the Italian.

The Telegraph reports that Kante is likely to reject a new contract at Leicester and move to greener pastures this summer despite the league champions having made him a much improved offer on his current deal. He is still considering his options and is likely to make a decision after the Euros, where France are set to play Iceland in a bid to progress into the semi-finals.

The Frenchman is reported to have a release clause in the range of £20m ($26.5m) but there is a term in his contract which allows Leicester to accept the highest bid from the corresponding offers. Chelsea are reportedly stalling on making a bid so as not to pay over the odds for the midfielder amid competition from a host of other cash-rich clubs who can trump the deal. Arsenal have also refrained from making an early approach for the player owing to this discrepancy.

Conte wants a midfielder who can run around the pitch and win balls, something Kante was renowned for last season. His performance has earned him a starting spot for France in the Euros with Didier Deschamps giving him the responsibility to protect his back four alongside the likes of Paul Pogba in midfield.

Chelsea are also in the market to sign a replacement for the departing duo of Radamel Falcao and Alexander Pato, with both players set to leave this summer. Falcao was signed by Jose Mourinho on loan from Monaco last summer but has failed to have an impact while Pato has also failed to trouble the scorers after coming to Stamford Bridge in January last season.