West Ham in talks to make shock £20m move for N’golo Kante from Al-Ittihad

As reported by Will Unwin of the Guardian, West Ham United are in talks to sign N’Golo Kanté from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Negotiations between the two sides are said to be currently ongoing with a ‘willingness’ for the deal to be completed for a fee in the region of £20million.

Meanwhile, despite being happy at the Saudi Pro League club, Kanté is reportedly open to returning to London to join The Hammers, having spent seven successful seasons in England’s capital with Chelsea.

After an incredible Premier League winning debut season with Leicester City, the French international moved to The Blues in July 2016, where he subsequently won another Premier League, Europa League and Champions League title, as well as the 2016/17 Premier League player of the season.

The 2018 World Cup winner departed for the Middle East on a free transfer last summer as part of Saudi Arabia’s mass investment in established football stars, specifically joining Al-Ittihad along with former Liverpool man Fabinho, and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

However, whilst many thought the move spelled the end of Kanté’s career at the highest level of European football, the 33-year-old proved his worth for France at Euro 2024 this summer, and left the belief that he can still keep up with the world’s best players.

The midfielder was somewhat surprisingly called up as part of Didier Deschamps squad, but played a pivotal part in starting all six of his nation’s games prior to their semi-final loss to Spain – standing out with the endless energy, work-rate, and ball-winning ability he’s become so well-appreciated for.

As such, West Ham are convinced he can still perform and significantly contribute for them in the English top flight this coming season, whilst new manager Julen Lopetegui is keen to bring him in – having admired Kanté since he briefly managed Real Madrid in 2018.

If the shock deal is completed, it would be The Claret and Blues fourth signing of the summer already, after securing goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on a free deal, Brazilian wonderkid Luis Guilherme for €23m, and Wolves captain Max Kilman for £40m.

Travis Levison | Get Football