N’GOLO KANTE’S former club-mate has revealed the Chelsea star wanted to stay in France – before Leicester outbid Marseille by just £600,000.
France midfielder Kante is on the brink of winning back-to-back Premier League crowns after helping Antonio Conte’s Blues to a commanding lead.
The 25-year-old previously played a major role as the Foxes defied 5,000-1 odds to win their first-ever title last year.
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Kante moved to Stamford Bridge last summer for £32million, signing a contract until 2021.
The Paris-born powerhouse previously made his name with Caen, helping the Normandy club win promotion to Ligue 1.
Marseille offered £5million for him two summers ago, but Caen instead accepted Leicester’s £5.6m bid.
Midfielder Alexandre Raineau played alongside Kante during his 14-year Caen career before joining Chateauroux last year.
Raineau recalled: "Kante did not want to go to Leicester. He wanted to move to Marseille.
"But they did not offer Caen as much money for him as Leicester, so the club said no to them.
"N'Golo carried our team. Without him we would never have gone up to Ligue 1.
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"He is phenomenal. When I played against him in training I thought he was out of this world - his impact was incredible."
Kante has made 28 Chelsea appearances this season, scoring once. He is set to face West Ham at the London Stadium on Monday night.
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