Inter Milan have ruled themselves out of the running to sign Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante. There had been reports in the Italian press that manager Antonio Conte wanted the Nerazzurri to sign the 29-year-old, with the Blues said to be open to selling the Frenchman if a bid was made in excess of €60m (£53m).

However, Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio was quick to dismiss the speculation, stating the Serie A club don’t see the player as a realistic transfer target this summer:

“Kante is also an impossible move for Inter.”

Chelsea have been looking to offload some players in order to free up funds for other purchases but it has been surprising that they are willing to sell Kante considering his importance to the team.

The former PFA Player of the Year has had his injury problems over the past year, though, and that may play a role in manager Frank Lampard’s thinking about being prepared to let him leave.