Will N'Golo Kante leave Saudi Arabia? Al-Ittihad coach responds!

Is the Frenchman preparing for a new experience?

World 13 January 2026 at 07:30

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Will N'Golo Kante leave Saudi Arabia? Al-Ittihad coach responds!

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Following years commanding the midfield in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ittihad, the winds of a potential return to Europe appear to be gathering around N’Golo Kanté. As speculation regarding the French midfielder’s future intensifies, his current manager has adopted a firm stance on the matter.

Faced with questions about the transfer rumors, Al-Ittihad's head coach, Sérgio Conceição, deliberately steered clear of any comment, emphasizing instead the demands of professionalism for all players currently on his roster.

“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,” Conceição stated, a clear message that internal focus must remain absolute.

Despite the coach's public dismissal of the topic, concrete developments are reportedly underway elsewhere. According to previous information, Kanté is making notable progress in talks to secure a move from Saudi Arabia to Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe. An official offer is understood to have already been submitted for the 2018 World Cup winner.

Having joined Al-Ittihad in June 2023, Kanté has featured in nearly 100 matches for the club, scoring nine goals, including 21 appearances in the current season. As the silent standoff continues between rumored desire and public duty, the coming weeks will reveal whether this decorated veteran is destined for one final European chapter.