N'Golo Kante reveals Arsenal's half-hearted interest convinced him to join Chelsea last summer

The Frenchman confirmed that a number of clubs had expressed an interest in him

N'golo Kante has established himself as one of Antonio Conte's star players since joining last year (Getty)

N’Golo Kante has revealed that Arsenal’s half-hearted interest led him to join London rivals Chelsea last summer.

After enjoying a stellar debut season with Leicester, in which he helped guide the side to their first top-flight division title, the 26-year-old was subsequently linked to a number of Premier League clubs.

Arsenal were alleged to have registered their interest in the midfielder but Kante has revealed other clubs made a greater effort to lure him away from the King Power Stadium.

Kante ended up signing for Chelsea for a reported £32m and has since gone on to establish himself as one of Antonio Conte’s key players.

"With Arsenal there was an interest but not a big as other clubs," Kante told Sky Sports.

"That is why I didn't go to Arsenal and went to Chelsea."

Arsene Wenger revealed in February that Kante was on his radar while he played in France with Boulogne and Caen, and when he was a Leicester player.

But the Arsenal boss suggested that finances had prevented the club from signing the Frenchman.

Asked if he had ever tried to sign the midfielder, Wenger said: “When he was in France, when he was at Leicester.”

When pushed about why Arsenal missed out on Kante, who is understood to earn around £110,000 a week at Chelsea, Wenger added: “We cannot explain everything, but it is quite obvious when you look at where he has gone.

“I do not want to talk more about that. Transfers are transfers.”