N'Golo Kante has been playing in Saudi Arabia since the summer of 2023, when he moved from Chelsea to join reigning champions Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman, though, could be set to return to Europe in the January transfer window amid concrete interest in the midfielder's signature.
A two-time Premier League winner with Leicester City and Chelsea, Kante built up a reputation for being one of the best midfielders on the continent before moving onto pastures new – and with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, it could be high time for a move.
After winning everything there was to win in Europe, including the Champions League with the Stamford Bridge outfit, Kante followed in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and the like by moving to the Middle East. His lucrative adventure, though, could be coming to an end.
Kante's Future In the Balance as European Club Makes Approach
n'golo kante
Kante, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders in football history, is in advanced talks to join Turkish club Fenerbahce, who have made an official approach for the ex-Chelsea and Leicester midfielder.
Out of contract in the summer, 34-year-old Kante is yet to agree a new contract with the Saudi Pro League outfit, who are currently not considering the prospect of him leaving in January.
Elsewhere, Fenerbahce – led by sporting director, Devin Ozek, who replaced Mario Branco last June – have made an approach for the World Cup hopeful, who was born in Paris and rose to prominence following his SM Caen-to-Leicester switch in the summer of 2015.
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Fenerbahce, according to a report from The Athletic, are confident of landing a deal for the 65-cap France international.
Journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has announced that Fenerbahce have reached an agreement and negotiations have begun. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: "Fenerbahce has made an official offer! A meeting will be held with his agent tomorrow."
Hakan Bilal Kutlualp, a former executive of the club, also took to social media to share an image of Kante sitting at a table with Fenerbahce representatives. "The management finished it. Our management has already finished it and will bring it here; let's just offer our best wishes and add positive energy."
As mentioned, a mid-season move is not on the agenda of Al-Ittihad – but they do understand they'd be powerless in the summer when his current deal comes to a close.
In June 2025, it was reported that Al Hilal, Al-Ittihad's rivals, were huge admirers of the seasoned defensive midfielder. An agreement could not be reached between the two parties, though later in the summer, it was revealed that a move back to France could be on the cards as both AS Monaco and Paris FC had been paid an interest in Kante.
A Move to Europe Could Increase Kante's World Cup Chances With France
kante france
It's no secret that Kante is one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation and a World Cup with France in 2018 proves that he can influence matches on the international stage as well as at club level. But where does he currently sit on Didier Deschamps' pecking order?
Heading into this summer's World Cup, the engine room destroyer made just one appearance for Les Bleus in 2025 – a 4-0 victory over Ukraine as he assisted Michael Olise. That was his 65th international cap, but he'll be hoping to earn some more this summer.
He missed the last World Cup in Qatar with a hamstring injury and what followed has been a two-year hiatus from national team duties. Kante returned just ahead of Euro 2024 and then played a pivotal role in their route to the semi-finals against Spain, which they eventually lost 2-1.
N'Golo Kante – Career Statistics
Club/Country
Chelsea
Al-Ittihad
SM Caen
France
US Boulogne
Leicester City
A move back to Europe (where he'll have more eyes on his progress and performances) will increase his chances of playing for France at the World Cup hundredfold. He'll have to rival the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone for a spot in midfield – but there's no doubt about him being up for such an onerous task, is there?
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 14/01/2026