In a surprising and rapid development of events within the corridors of the Saudi Al-Ittihad Club, specifically just 24 hours after the news confirmed the departure of French star Karim Benzema and his transfer to Al-Hilal, the management of “Al-Ameed” agreed to terminate the contractual relationship with French midfielder N’Golo Kante, opening the way for his transfer to the Turkish League through Fenerbahce Club.
Details of the deal and the TMS system crisis
The prestigious Turkish club is preparing to officially announce the deal, which saw both parties (the club and the player) determined to finalize it despite last-minute administrative hurdles. The 2018 World Cup winner successfully completed his medical examinations, paving the way for him to sign a two-year contract. The most striking aspect of the contract is the significant financial concession the player made; he will receive an annual salary of €8 million with Fenerbahçe, compared to the €25 million he earned annually with Al-Ittihad.
The deal faced a temporary setback due to a technical error in entering the player's data into the Transfer Matching System (TMS). In response, Fenerbahçe issued an official statement via the X platform apologizing to the fans and explaining the situation: "At the request of the coaching staff, agreements were reached with the players, the necessary medical examinations were conducted, and we obtained the required approvals. Our club fulfilled all its obligations completely and on time.".
The statement added, explaining the reason for the delay: “Due to the other club entering incorrect information into the Transfer Management System (TMS), our club was unable to complete the deal within the specified registration period. Therefore, we requested an extension of the deadline and held the necessary discussions with FIFA.”.
A successful career and a new challenge in Türkiye
Kante's departure from the Saudi league marks a significant turning point in the career of a player who had already established a golden legacy in European football before his move to the Kingdom. Kante is considered one of the most prominent defensive midfielders of the last decade, having played a key role in Leicester City's remarkable Premier League title win, before repeating the feat with Chelsea, winning the Champions League, and ultimately lifting the World Cup trophy with the French national team.
Kante's move to Fenerbahce is not just a passing transfer; it reflects the Turkish club's desire to strengthen its squad with players possessing extensive international experience to compete strongly for the Turkish league title and European competitions. Turkish clubs are a preferred destination for many international stars due to their passionate fan base and highly competitive atmosphere.
The impact of the departure on the Union
On the other hand, the departure of key players such as Benzema and Kante puts the management of Al-Ittihad Club under great pressure in front of the fans to replace these names with high-caliber signings, in order to ensure the continuation of competition for local and continental titles, especially in light of the great development and global attraction that the Saudi Roshan League is witnessing.
