Chelsea to seal $

N’GOLO KANTE is close to a £30 million ($55 million) move to Chelsea as Leicester City also face a battle to hang on to their highly regarded head of recruitment.

Steve Walsh, who is credited with the discoveries of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Kante, has been headhunted by Everton, whose attempts to convince Monchi, the Seville sporting director, appear to have been thwarted.

Claudio Ranieri this week urged Kante, who was in France’s Euro 2016 squad, to make up his mind quickly and it is understood that a deal has been finalised with Chelsea. Kante had been targeted by Antonio Conte, the Chelsea head coach, who has prioritised strengthening his side’s midfield.

Vardy turned down an offer from Arsenal to move to the Emirates and Ranieri is confident that Mahrez will stay, but Leicester’s challenge now is to hold on to Walsh. Everton want a proven talent-spotter to lead their recruitment department and allow Ronald Koeman to focus on team management, and the club’s hierarchy believe that Walsh would be ideal for the role.

Walsh is aware of Everton’s interest and is believed to have remained in England while Ranieri and the Leicester squad are in Austria for a pre-season training camp. Should Walsh choose to accept the challenge of