Al-Ittihad fans are living in a state of extreme anxiety and anticipation, amid growing fears that CEO Fahad Al-Sindi's administration will let go of French star N'Golo Kanté, the midfield dynamo, in a scenario similar to what happened with team captain Karim Benzema, who moved to arch-rivals Al-Hilal. These rapid developments come despite Kanté's contract still being valid, as serious offers from European clubs have begun to emerge.
Details of Fenerbahce's offer and Kante's stance
According to sources close to the club, Fenerbahçe is awaiting final approval from Al-Ittihad's management to complete the player's transfer during the current winter transfer window. The deal has become official after Kanté underwent medical tests in preparation for signing a two-year contract. Financial details indicate that the player has agreed to a significant pay cut, set to earn €8 million annually with the Turkish club, compared to the €25 million he was receiving annually in Jeddah, reflecting his strong desire to leave.
Motivations for returning to Europe and the 2026 World Cup
Kanté's initial decision to accept the Turkish offer was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather stemmed from a strong desire to return to European football. The French star aims, through this move, to remain in the sights of the French national team's coaching staff, thus boosting his chances of being included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup finals. Competing in European leagues, even through the Turkish route, is a crucial factor for international players in securing their places in major international tournaments.
Kante's numbers with Al-Ittihad and the impact of his departure
During his time with Al-Ittihad, Kanté delivered outstanding performances that made him an indispensable pillar of the team. Statistics show that he played 105 matches for Al-Ittihad across all competitions, contributing 21 goals (scoring and assisting). His role wasn't limited to individual statistics; he was a crucial element in the team's league and King's Cup double last season, making replacing him an extremely difficult task for the coaching staff.
The repercussions of the stars' departure from "Al-Ittihad"
The potential departure of Kanté, following Karim Benzema's move to Al-Hilal, represents a double blow for Al-Ittihad, or as the saying goes, "two blows to the head hurt." Losing two key players to the club's sporting project in such a short period could lead to a technical imbalance in the team's lineup, particularly in midfield and attack. This situation places the club's management under immense pressure from fans and the media to find world-class replacements capable of filling the void and maintaining the team's achievements in domestic and continental competitions.
