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N’Golo Kanté’s latest injury setback ‘causes alarm’ at Barcelona but will not stop the Catalan giants from moving for the Chelsea man in the January transfer window.

That’s according to Sport, who cover Barcelona’s interest in the Frenchman today and how they are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the player.

The newspaper explains that Barça are ‘well advanced’ in the process of signing Kanté for next season on a free transfer.

The French midfielder ‘generates consensus’ between those in charge of the club and the coaching team, as both believe he is exactly the profile that the team needs.

An agreement between both parties is ‘well underway’ but his latest injury has caused ‘a lot of uncertainty’ at the Nou Camp.

He is expected to return for Chelsea in February and his condition will be checked at that point before the deal to take him to Spain is finalised. Contacts with the player and his entourage are open so they can get ‘first hand information’ on the injury and his return from it.

They are already close to reaching an agreement and the plan had been to ‘absolutely move’ in the January transfer window to wrap things up ahead of the summer.

That has now been delayed somewhat, with the plan instead for an ‘exhaustive medical examination’ and ‘preventative measures’ so they do not get stung if Kanté does not recover as hoped.

There is a growing belief that he will be leaving Chelsea on a free, though, and Barcelona are at the front of the queue and ready to move.