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N'Golo Kante could leave Leicester this summer, says Claudio Ranieri

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Claudio Ranieri admits Leicester may struggle to hold onto N'Golo Kante

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri admits he may struggle to keep hold of French midfielder N'Golo Kante this summer.

Kante, who has played 33 times for the league leaders this season, has impressed since signing from French club Caen in 2015.

The 25 year-old was rewarded with a call-up to the France national side for the friendlies against the Netherlands and Russia and a number of top clubs - including Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus - are said to be monitoring his situation.

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And Kante has refused to rule out a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer, saying: "I will fight for Leicester this season and next season we never know and we will see.

"At this moment I am focused on Leicester. We have to finish well this season but I don't mind about the other clubs."

N'Golo Kante was called up to the France squad for the first time this month
Image: Kante was called up to the France squad for the first time recently

Ranieri admits he could end up losing his combative midfielder, even if Leicester win the Premier League this year.

"I think he should rest [stay] here, he's working very well," he said. "But if big teams arrive that will give us a lot of money, maybe we can think about it if he's not happy here and wants to go. I don't want sad people here - I want my players to be happy."

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Claudio Ranieri
Image: Ranieri says he only wants 'happy' players in his squad

"No, no, he's always smiling," Ranieri added, when asked if Kante was unhappy at the club. "There is a chance he could leave but our focus is on the pitch for the last seven matches. After that is another season."

Leicester are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and face Southampton at home on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

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