The past few hours have witnessed rapid developments in the transfer of veteran French star N'Golo Kante , midfielder of Saudi club Al-Ittihad, to Turkish club Fenerbahce, according to what was revealed by reliable transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.
Details of the negotiations between Kante and Fenerbahce
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Fenerbahçe's management has made significant progress in negotiations with the French player, with the Turkish club very close to finalizing personal terms with N'Golo Kanté. This notable progress followed a positive and productive meeting held between the player's representatives and club officials last Tuesday, strongly increasing the likelihood of seeing the 2018 World Cup winner in the Turkish Super League soon.
Al-Ittihad Club's stance: No to free transfers
Despite the initial agreement between the player and the Turkish club, the biggest obstacle lies in the club negotiations. Romano indicated that talks will continue and intensify in the coming days with Al-Ittihad's management to finalize the deal. The club's management has made its position clear: they refuse to let the player leave for free, insisting on a substantial transfer fee commensurate with his market value and technical abilities, especially since his contract is still valid.
The background of the French star and his influence
N'Golo Kanté is considered one of the world's most prominent defensive midfielders of the last decade. He joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2013 from Chelsea in a big-money deal and became a key player for the team. Kanté's strong return to the French national team at Euro 2014 proved that he still possesses the physical and technical qualities to play at the highest level, making him an attractive target for European clubs once again.
Fenerbahce's project and the influence of Jose Mourinho
Fenerbahce's interest in signing Kanté comes within the context of the ambitious project the club is undertaking this season, especially after the appointment of renowned Portuguese coach José Mourinho . "The Special One" is looking to bolster his squad with players possessing international experience and leadership qualities on the pitch, attributes that perfectly fit Kanté, who has already won the Premier League with Leicester City and Chelsea, as well as the Champions League and the World Cup.
Expected impact of the deal
If the deal goes through, it will represent a huge qualitative addition to the Turkish league, while it will put Al-Ittihad in front of a challenge to compensate for the departure of a player of Kante’s caliber in the midfield, which explains the Saudi club’s insistence on obtaining the best possible financial return to invest in strong alternatives that ensure the team’s continued competition for local and continental titles.
