Middlesbrough’s young midfielder is currently in France putting the finishes touches to a move that will see him link up with the second tier side initially until the end of the season.
It’s understood Saint Etienne will then be able to make the switch permanent, but that likely hinges on whether they win promotion to Ligue 1 this season. They’re currently fifth in Ligue 2, two points behind second and seven behind leaders Troyes.
Kante left Troyes in the summer to sign for Boro on a five-year contract. He’s since only made five Championship appearances on Teesside, the last of which came back in September.
Kante is only 20 and was always seen as a longer term prospect, but when he was signed Rob Edwards was in charge at the Riverside.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Current head coach Kim Hellberg prefers a different sort of profile in midfield, with Alex Gilbert having been restored to the first team picture in recent months. With Hayden Hackney, Aidan Morris and Alan Browne the first choice midfield trio, plus Law McCabe having returned from Plymouth, Kante has essentially been sixth choice in midfield in recent weeks and hasn’t played a minute of football since Hellberg’s appointment.
Because he’s an Under-21 player, Kante didn’t take a place in Boro‘s 25-man EFL squad. Boro still need to create space in the squad, with Delano Burgzorg expected to join Bristol City on loan. Seny Dieng is available to leave, as is Micah Hamilton, who is on the fringes.
Meanwhile, reports claiming Boro have made a fresh bid for Max Arfsten this month are understood to be wide of the mark.
Boro remain interested in the American left-back, who was a leading target in the summer, and are understood to have enquired about his potential availability this month, but there wasn’t a bid tabled and Columbus Crew have again made it clear they have no intention of selling in the current window.
Arfsten’s contract runs until 2027, but the MLS side have the option of extending by a further 12 months.
The 24-year-old is said to want to test himself in Europe. He wanted the Boro move in the summer. Boro will continue to monitor his situation.
Boro have already strengthened at left-back this month with the arrival of Fin Munroe, but there’ll be patient with the youngster, who spent the first half of the season on loan in League Two with Swindon.
Newcastle can still recall Matt Targett from the Riverside ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, though Boro and the left-back are hoping Dan Burn’s return to fitness means the Magpies allow the 30-year-old to see out the season on Teesside.
Boro are continuing their efforts to strengthen their attack ahead of Monday’s deadline, with the Championship promotion chasers pursuing three different targets.
They also soon look set to be boosted by the return of David Strelec, who was pictured back in training this week. He’s been out of action since the Boxing Day draw with Blackburn.