Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is close to leaving the Premier League after receiving a lucrative £172 million offer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad. Kante, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016 for £32 million, has had a successful seven-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, winning the Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup…
However, Kante’s impact was limited last season due to injuries, resulting in only seven league appearances. With his Chelsea contract expiring in June, the 30-year-old has been considering his options, with Barcelona and Arsenal expressing interest. Al Ittihad has now presented an irresistible two-year contract worth around £86 million per year, which has proven too tempting for Kante to reject.
Negotiations between Kante and Al Ittihad are reportedly in the final stages, and if the deal is finalized, he will join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Middle East. Chelsea had initiated talks to extend Kante’s contract, and the Frenchman expressed his preference to stay in London and sign an extension rather than become a free agent. At one point, it seemed likely that a deal until 2025 would be reached, with Chelsea offering the extension.
In recent weeks, concerns have arisen as Kante has not yet signed the new contract, and his recent groin injury has raised doubts about his fitness. On the other hand, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) has acquired controlling stakes in several Saudi Arabian Pro League clubs, including Al Ittihad, with the aim of revitalizing the league and attracting top football talent.
Representatives from the Saudi PIF flew to London to officially present an offer to Kante, with Al Ittihad and Al Nassr emerging as potential destinations for the midfielder. Al Ittihad directors traveled to London to meet with the PIF delegation and finalize the necessary documentation for the substantial move, amounting to €100 million per season.
The proposed agreement will see Kante sign a contract with Al Ittihad until the summer of 2025, earning a salary of €200 million, which includes various incentives such as image rights, commercial deals, and investment opportunities. Kante will join the ranks of high-profile footballers making a move to Saudi Arabia, alongside Karim Benzema.
While the contracts have yet to be signed, there are no anticipated obstacles, and a meeting between Kante’s agents and the Al Ittihad board has been held to finalize the deal, as reported by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.
