The deal for the 20-year-old with French second-tier outfit Troyes is worth around €3 million.

Kante has made over 50 Ligue 2 appearances for Troyes and the move is set to be sealed in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, speculation over the future of England under-21 international Hayden Hackney is continuing apace, with Championship promotion favourites Ipswich Town maintaining their interest in the Redcar-born player, despite seeing an initial bid rebuffed by Boro.

An opening gambit of around £20m has been reportedly knocked back, but the East Anglians are being tipped to make another move, with talks between both clubs ongoing.

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