USMANOV IS TEMPTED BY THE TOFFEES

A £32m move to Chelsea followed in July 2016. Kante quickly became the Blues’ driving force as Antonio Conte’s team powered to the title. He was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year. He became the first man since Eric Cantona, in 1993, to win England’s top-flight title in consecutive seasons with different teams. ALISHER USMANOV has Everton in his sights after cutting his ties with Arsenal.

The Blues are majority owned by Farhad Moshiri, his former business partner in Red and White Holdings.

“We are friends with Farhad Moshiri,” said Usmanov, who according to Forbes is worth £11.8billion. “If he needs the support, I’m happy to help.”

He ended his 11-year association with the Gunners by agreeing to sell his 30 per cent stake to Stan Kroenke for £600million. That followed his own £1bn takeover bid being rejected.

USM Holdings, one of the 64-yearold’s firms, sponsors Everton’s Finch Farm training ground to the tune of about £75m.