The Kanté soap opera ends with a bitter finale

N'Golo Kanté will continue his career at Al-Ittihad after negotiations that were supposed to take him to Fenerbahçe fell through at the last moment. The anticipated return of the world champion to Europe will not happen, at least for now.

For weeks, the French midfielder was linked with the Turkish club, where the fans saw him as a differential reinforcement to compete at the highest continental level. However, the outcome was abrupt. Fenerbahçe officially confirmed that the deal could not be closed and pointed directly at the Saudi club as responsible.

N'Golo Kanté and a failed signing due to an administrative issue

As explained by Fenerbahçe in a statement, Al-Ittihad incorrectly entered the operation details in the FIFA transfer system. This error prevented the planned exchange from being completed within the established timeframe, coinciding with the closing of the market in Saudi Arabia as reported by MundoDeportivo.

The Turkish club requested an extension and held discussions with FIFA to unlock the situation, but did not receive a favorable response. Istanbul confirms that all necessary steps were taken, and the rival club did not proceed with the transfer without offering a clear justification.

A promising deal for Fenerbahçe

The operation involved a direct exchange. Fenerbahçe was ready to send Youssef En-Nesyri to Al-Ittihad to facilitate the arrival of N'Golo Kanté. The plan was ambitious. The Turkish club wanted to make the Frenchman the centerpiece of their midfield and a key figure for the Europa League.

At 34 years old, N'Golo Kanté viewed the option of returning to European football positively, especially with the World Cup drawing closer. The player even underwent a medical examination in Jeddah, a step that reinforced the feeling that the deal was on track.

Saudi Arabia retains its star

Ultimately, the midfielder will remain at Al-Ittihad, where he has been playing for two and a half seasons after leaving European football. In Saudi Arabia, Kanté has maintained a leading role and achieved competitive continuity, crucial after years marked by physical issues.

The Saudi club, aware of the symbolic and sporting value of the player, was not willing to let him go without absolute guarantees. The outcome leaves a bitter taste in Turkey and reopens the debate on the reliability of operations between leagues with different schedules.

The international context of N'Golo Kanté

Beyond the market, N'Golo Kanté continues to have weight in the French national team. He was called up in November by Didier Deschamps after a year of absence. The coach included him in qualifying matches, confirming that he remains a valid option in the midfield.

Although he could not participate in the 2022 World Cup due to injury, the player made it to the squad for Euro 2024. This international support explained his desire to return to Europe and compete at the highest level before the next major event.

An immediate future without changes

For now, the scenario is clear. N'Golo Kanté will remain tied to Al-Ittihad and the Saudi Arabia project, at least until a new opportunity arises. Fenerbahçe loses the reinforcement that had excited its fans, while the Frenchman sees his attempt to return to the European stage halted.

The soap opera has ended, but it leaves a clear impression: N'Golo Kanté wanted to come back, Fenerbahçe made a strong bet, and Saudi Arabia ultimately exerted its influence in an operation that seemed a done deal.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El culebrón Kanté termina con final amargo