Kante was set to complete a move to Turkey.placeholder image
Kante was set to complete a move to Turkey. | Middle East Images/AFP via Getty
Chelsea had been linked with several experienced midfielders in January, including former player N’Golo Kante.
Former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has found himself at the centre of a transfer storm after his move to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce from Saudi side Al-Ittihad collapsed at the last minute.
The 34-year-old, who left Stamford Bridge in 2023 to join Al-Ittihad, had remained a key part of the Saudi team but was set for a new challenge in Turkey. Kante has made 105 appearances for Al-Ittihad since making the move and had started every Saudi Pro League match this season before being excluded at the weekend amid transfer talk.
Al-Ittihad had agreed a deal with Fenerbahce that would see Morrocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri move the other direction in a swap deal. However, that transfer collapsed at the final hurdle.
Fenerbahce release statement after Al-Ittihad transfer collapses
Now, Fenerbahce have released a statement criticising Al-Ittihad for being at fault for that. The Turkish side claim that agreements had been reached with both players with medicals approved on their half.
The statement read: “In line with the requests of our technical team, agreements have been reached with the players; the medical examinations of the player to be transferred have been completed, the necessary approvals have been obtained, and our club has fulfilled all its obligations completely and on time. The documents related to the transfer registration have been uploaded to the system correctly and completely within the specified period.
“However, due to the opposing club's incorrect entry of the relevant TMS information, the transactions could not be completed within the transfer registration period, independently of our club. Accordingly, an extension was requested, necessary discussions were held with FIFA by our club, and all steps were taken to resolve the issue. Despite this, the opposing club has not completed the transactions without providing any justification to us.”
The swap deal came about after Al-Ittihad talisman Karim Benzema left the club to join rival side Al-Hilal on Tuesday. En-Nesyri appeared to be his replacement.
Chelsea linked with N’Golo Kante loan move last month
Kante is now set to return to Al-Ittihad and continue to represent the side. Chelsea had been credited with potential interest in a loan move for Kante this January but will now be unable do that after the deadline.
Kante won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 and with Chelsea the following season. The midfielder would have brought bags of experience to Liam Rosenior’s squad, having also won the Champions League, Europa League and World Cup.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea agree deadline day deal as 'medical booked' with Championship club.
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