Chelsea have moved swiftly to open talks over signing midfielder N’Golo Kante as Antonio Conte attempts to shape his squad for the forthcoming season.

Barely 24 hours after Kante’s Euro 2016 campaign came to an end with France’s final defeat to Portugal, Chelsea formalised their interest in the player in the hope of concluding a deal.

But the Blues are aware that triggering Kante’s £20million release clause may not be enough to land the Leicester City star.