The past few hours have witnessed dramatic developments in the transfer of French star N'Golo Kante , midfielder of Saudi club Al-Ittihad, to Turkish club Fenerbahce, as press reports revealed that negotiations have suddenly stalled.
According to the Turkish newspaper Sabah , Al-Ittihad's management decided to back out of the deal at the last minute, despite negotiations having progressed very well. The newspaper indicated that this drastic change in the Saudi club's stance delayed the player's transfer, putting the Turkish club in a difficult position before the transfer window closed.
The coach's role and the financial requirement
Reports indicate that Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição played a pivotal role in preventing the player's departure, delivering a decisive message to the club's management: "If you're going to bring in a player better than Kanté, he can leave." This message reinforced the coaching staff's determination to retain the World Cup winner, given the difficulty of replacing him with a player of similar quality and experience at present.
On the financial front, the club’s management set an impossible condition for some interested clubs, requiring a minimum of 15 million euros as a final transfer fee to agree to release the French international. This figure is still under discussion and debate between the two parties, as Fenerbahce seeks to reduce the amount or find a compromise formula.
Kante... an indispensable cornerstone
Al-Ittihad's insistence on retaining Kanté's services is logical given the significant technical value he brings to the midfield. Since joining the Saudi Professional League from Chelsea, Kanté has proven that he still possesses the fitness, ball-winning ability, and attacking prowess that have made him one of the best defensive midfielders in the world over the past decade. His impressive track record, which includes Premier League titles with Leicester City and Chelsea, as well as Champions League and World Cup titles with France, makes him a true leader on the pitch.
Impact of the decision on the transfer market
Kante's continued presence at Al-Ittihad sends a strong message, confirming the club's desire to fiercely compete for domestic and continental titles this season. Losing a player of Kante's caliber to Fenerbahçe would have been a significant blow to the team's stability, especially given the intense competition from Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli. Furthermore, retaining international stars reinforces the Saudi league's position as a magnet for top football talent, not just a passing phase.
The Turkish newspaper concluded its report by emphasizing that Fenerbahce officials have not yet raised the white flag, as they continue their desperate attempts to convince the Al-Ittihad administration to soften its stance, given the Turkish team’s urgent need to strengthen its midfield with international expertise to compete in the Turkish league and European competitions.
