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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Real Madrid have first option on Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, should the France international ever be put up for sale, according to Defensa Central.

What's the story?

The 28-year-old joined the Blues in 2016 for a fee of around £30m and has turned out to be a fantastic signing.

He has made 145 appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit, winning three trophies along the way, and he has also been rewarded for his performances individually, winning the PFA Player of the Year in 2017.

However, while it does not seem he will be leaving south-west London outfit anytime soon, Real are said to be in pole position to purchase him should he be made available. This accord is believed to have been reached during one of the many meetings before Eden Hazard's move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Watch the greatest fan celebration of a goal you will see all season in the video below...

Chelsea could benefit from partnership

Losing Kante would no doubt be a blow. As one of the leading central midfielders in world football, a huge hole would be left in the middle of the park should he depart for pastures new.

Nevertheless, although he may be happy at Chelsea currently, there could come a time when he wants a new challenge. It is not, therefore, an impossibility to see him lining up alongside Hazard in Spain in the future.

Following Hazard's switch, an agreement with Real Madrid could be in place, and a partnership of some kind could be beneficial for the Blues moving forward.

Looking back at some of the players who have been moved on from the 13-time European Cup/Champions League winners, it is quite some list. Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon, for example, are all players who have gone on to have successful careers, but all left as a result of Real's desire to sell.

Madrid and Barcelona have sold several players to the Premier League, often with eye-catching success. Mesut Ozil may not be the most popular man in north London, but his stats for Arsenal are impressive, to say the least. Lucas Digne had a great first year at Everton following his move last summer, while Pedro has contributed to three trophies during his time with the Blues.

In the future, therefore, it would be wise for Chelsea to stay on Real's good side. If Kante were to want to leave, a move to Madrid could allow the Blues to have their pick of any star names who aren't getting the chance they deserve at the Bernabeu.

There are worse places to go shopping.

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