N'Golo Kante is set to become the latest ex-Premier League star to move to Turkey with Fenerbahce confident of agreeing a deal for the Al-Ittihad midfielder.
Kante in action for Al-Ittihad.
Chelsea legend N'Golo Kante could leave Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad during the January window. (Image: Getty Images)
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Chelsea legend N'Golo Kante is advancing in talks to sign for Fenerbahce, it has been claimed. The 34-year-old midfielder has been at Al-Ittihad for the past two-and-a-half years now - after leaving the Blues to sign for the Saudi Pro League side in June 2023.
But, with Kante out of contract this summer - and yet to agree terms on a new deal at Al-Ittihad - he's prepared to leave Saudi Arabia and move to Turkey. Indeed, according to Sky Germany, Kante has given his personal green light to Fenerbahce and would accept a 80 per cent wage reduction to make the deal happen.
The two-time Premier League title winner is pocketing £400,000 per-week at Al-Ittihad. But he'd be willing to see his pay packet fall to around £80,000 at Fenerbache.
Kante is thought to be impressed with Fenerbahce's ambition, having signed Sofyan Amrabat, Ederson, Marco Asensio, Nelson Semedo, Jhon Duran, Edson Alvarez, Archie Brown, Dorgeles Nene, Kerem Akturkoglu, Milan Skriniar and Tarik Cetin last summer - before bringing in Anthony Musaba, Mert Gunok and ex-Arsenal midfielder Mateo Guendouzi this month.
Fenerbahce sit second in the Super Lig table, three points behind leaders and arch rivals Galatasaray having won 11 and drawn six of their 17 fixtures. However, they did beat Gala 2-0 in the Turkish Super Cup on Saturday.
Led by sporting director Devin Ozek, who replaced Mario Branco last June, Fenerbahce are confident of agreeing a deal after making an approach for the France international.
Former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante in action for Al-Ittihad.
Former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante has been tipped to move on this month.(Image: Getty Images)
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Al-Ittihad, however, do not want to lose Kante in January, but would be powerless to stop the midfielder from agreeing a move as a free agent that would be completed next summer.
Sergio Conceicao, the current head coach at Al-Ittihad, deflected talk of a possible exit for Kante earlier on this week. He said: "I don't want to talk about the transfer market.
"Any player who stays must have the right mentality and work for the prestige of the club."
Kante has made 22 appearances in Saudi this season, scoring once. He started for Al-Ittihad in the 1-1 draw with Damac on Tuesday, partnering ex-Liverpool man Fabinho in central midfield.
The former Leicester star is one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation, winning the World Cup with France in 2018, the Premier League at both the Foxes and Chelsea, where he also won the Champions League.
In total, Kante played 269 times during his seven years at Chelsea, scoring 13 goals. He's renowned as a legend at Stamford Bridge - winning six major trophies in his time in west London.
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