Kante future ‘in his hands’ says Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists N’Golo Kante’s future is “in his hands” as the midfielder weighs up the club’s offer of a new contract against a big money move away from the King Power Stadium.

Kante, signed last summer from Caen for £5.6m (€6.7m), was a revelation during his maiden season in the Premier League as his energetic, combative performances were key to Leicester’s surprise title success.

Such displays saw the 25-year-old named on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award — won by Foxes team-mate Riyad Mahrez — and brought him to the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane speaking of his admiration for the player while Chelsea are reportedly readying an offer in the region of £29m (€34.7m).

Anticipating such interest, Leicester offered Kante an improved deal before he went off to represent host nation France at the European Championship.

Ranieri said: “We offered Kante a new deal before he went to the Euros. Now I know there are a lot of big teams interested. It’s in his hands.”

Leicester will hope Kante follows the lead of team-mate Jamie Vardy who prior to Euro 2016 turned down the chance to join Arsenal in favour of signing a contract extension with Ranieri’s side.