Chelsea 'set to target Declan Rice if N'Golo Kante quits the Blues for Real Madrid as French star moves ahead of Paul Pogba in LaLiga side's wish-list'

Declan Rice could be tasked with filling the huge void N'Golo Kante will leave at Chelsea if the Frenchman is lured to Real Madrid this summer.

The Spanish giants have long tracked the defensive midfielder, whose unique intercepting and transitional abilities cement his place among the world's best.

Kante has battled injury this season and struggled to make a consistent impact in Chelsea's Champions League push, but he has still reportedly edged ahead of Paul Pogba in the Bernabeu side's wish-list.

Declan Rice is seen as the natural replacement for N'Golo Kante if he leaves Chelsea in summer

The French World Cup winner is being targeted by Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer

Madrid took Chelsea's talisman Eden Hazard last year and want to do the same with Kante

If Real can lure another of the Blues' crucial players - having stolen Eden Hazard last summer - Chelsea see Rice as a natural replacement, according to the Mirror.