Barcelona are said to be close to agreeing a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante on a free transfer.

A report by Sport claims that Kante’s agents have been in contact with chiefs at Barcelona and the basis for an agreement is practically in place.

Kante’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season and the World Cup winner is yet to reach an agreement with Chelsea over a new contract.

Negotiations between Kante and Barcelona have reportedly progressed well in recent weeks and the contract agreement could be finalised as soon as January.

Kante have had injury worries over the past two seasons, and Barcelona don’t seem to happy with this development.

Some Barcelona fans don’t seem to buy the idea, claiming that Barcelona isn’t a retirement home.

Disaxe wrote on Twitter: “This is very bad business. Why sign him at this stage of his career? Why would anyone force Busi out of Barcelona and then quickly sign Kate as replacement? Abeg am losing patience with this board.”

Ajay wrote on Twitter: “Sign someone young and reliable. We already have Alonso as an example. We don’t have to go for everyone just because they are a free agent.”

AvroneelBiswas wrote on Twitter: “Shameless club running after free agents.”