Kanté Unbound: Ittihad Jeddah Drops Kanté, Fenerbahçe Poised to Confirm Dream Move
3 February 2026
Kanté Departure Signals Transfer to Fenerbahçe
French midfielder N'Golo Kanté has been released by Ittihad Jeddah as he eyes a move to Turkish club Fenerbahçe on a free transfer.
The expected transfer to Fenerbahçe collapsed amid procedural errors in the final hours of the Saudi winter window, while Ittihad had also looked to sign Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Kanté then reacted by rebelling against the club, refusing to train to push for a contract termination allowing his move to Turkey.
Kanté is counting on the Turkish window remaining open until February 6, which could help Fenerbahçe seal the deal.
BeIN Sports Turkey, via its X account, said that the federation agreed to terminate Kanté's contract and that Fenerbahçe were preparing to announce the transfer that evening.
Meanwhile, Ittihad had already lost striker Karim Benzema to rivals Al-Hilal and would be unable to replace him after the failed bid for En-Nesyri in the final hours of the window.
The row underscores the volatility of winter moves in both leagues.
Punchline 1: If Kanté signs, the paperwork will sign faster than him—blink and the contract is done.
Punchline 2: If this saga lasts any longer, even the transfer window will start charging rent for the drama.
