Fakayejo Paul
ISTANBUL — Fenerbahçe have officially entered the race to bring N’Golo Kanté back to Europe, holding a direct meeting today with the midfielder’s representatives to present an initial contract proposal.
The Turkish giants, now led by head coach Domenico Tedesco, are pushing to secure the 34-year-old World Cup winner immediately rather than waiting for his contract with Al-Ittihad to expire this June.
The Negotiation Table
Fenerbahçe officials Ertan Torunoğulları and Devin Özek reportedly met with Kanté’s camp in Dubai to discuss a potential two-and-a-half-year deal. While the French international is said to be “intrigued” by the project in Istanbul—even appearing in a viral social media clip smiling while holding a Fenerbahçe shirt—the deal remains complex.
- Al-Ittihad’s Stance: The Saudi club is reluctant to lose a key performer mid-season but may consider a nominal fee to avoid a total loss in the summer.
- Squad Overhaul: The move follows Fenerbahçe’s recent signing of Matteo Guendouzi, signaling an aggressive midfield rebuild to secure the Süper Lig title.
Discussions are set to continue throughout the week as all parties work to understand if a January exit is financially and logistically feasible for the Saudi Pro League side.