Fenerbahce Pushes to Snatch Kanté from Al-Ittihad in a January Thriller

Fenerbahce’s renewed bid for Kanté

Fenerbahce’s management is racing to finalize a deal for French midfield maestro N'Golo Kanté, currently with Al-Ittihad, before the winter transfer window closes, potentially taking him from Saudi shores to Turkey’s top flight.

According to L'Équipe, the Turkish club has submitted a refreshed proposal in the last hours, aiming to bring Kanté in during the current window since his contract with the Saudi side expires at season’s end.

Kanté, 34, has reportedly reached a personal agreement with Fenerbahce on terms, setting the stage for a new Turkish adventure, though the transfer remains contingent on final clearance from Al-Ittihad to permit an early departure.

Italian transfer expert Gianluca Longari says Fenerbahce has made a direct bid for the 2018 World Cup winner, choosing not to wait until the summer. He added that the Turkish club has raised the financial offer to around 5 million euros, while Al-Ittihad is believed to seek up to 10 million euros for Kanté’s release.

It’s noted that Kanté joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea, making 104 appearances across competitions with 10 goals and 11 assists. The Saudi club had tried to extend his contract by two more years with a net salary of about 28 million euros plus 4 million in incentives, but Kanté reportedly declined in favor of European competition.

In short, Kanté’s potential exit would be a major coup for Fenerbahce, while Al-Ittihad would hold out for a substantial fee. Whether the deal completes in January remains a developing story.

Punchline 1: If this transfer goes through, Kanté will add “world-class negotiator” to his already impressive resume. Punchline 2: And if it stalls, well, the winter window will get a sequel—patience, tea, and a longer season of transfer gossip.