The corridors of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club are witnessing intense activity regarding the future of French star N'Golo Kante, as recent press reports have revealed pivotal developments that may hasten the player's departure from the ranks of "Al-Ameed" during the current winter transfer period, amid increasing interest from the Turkish League.
Union strategy: Renewal or immediate sale
According to the French network Foot Mercato, the contractual relationship between Kanté and Al-Ittihad has reached a crossroads. The player, whose contract officially expires next June, has rejected the renewal offer, forcing the Jeddah club's management to implement its strict financial and administrative strategy.
The club's management has adopted a clear policy of not letting any of its key players leave for free. Accordingly, they presented the French star with two options: either agree to a contract extension and remain part of the club's project, or leave immediately in the winter transfer window to capitalize on the financial return from his sale before his contract expires.
Fenerbahce is waiting to reduce its payroll
Amid these developments, Turkish club Fenerbahçe emerges as a strong potential destination. Reports indicate that Al-Ittihad's management might see the Turkish offer as a golden opportunity to achieve two goals simultaneously: firstly, to receive a transfer fee instead of losing the player for free in the summer, and secondly, to reduce the club's hefty wage bill, thus granting them greater flexibility in the transfer market to strengthen the squad with new players.
Context of the event: Kante's journey from Chelsea to Jeddah
To understand the significance of this news, we must go back to the summer of 2023, which witnessed a revolution in the Saudi transfer market. N'Golo Kanté joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer from Chelsea, becoming one of the most prominent international stars to grace the Saudi Professional League alongside Karim Benzema and other stars. The signing of Kanté sent a strong message about Al-Ittihad's ambitions to compete not only domestically but also globally, given the player's impressive track record, most notably winning the 2018 World Cup with France and the Champions League with Chelsea.
Numbers and artistic impact not to be underestimated
Despite talk of his departure, the technical value that Kanté has brought to Al-Ittihad's midfield cannot be denied. According to statistics included in recent reports, the player has participated in 104 matches across all competitions since joining, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists. These figures reflect the heavy reliance on him as the team's "engine," making the decision to let him go a double-edged sword; it would be financially beneficial, but it could leave a technical void that would be difficult to fill mid-season, especially since Kanté is known for his exceptional ability to win back possession and link up play, qualities that have made him one of the best defensive midfielders in the world for years.
