N’Golo Kante in talks to sign for European giant in boost to World Cup hopes

Fenerbahce are looking to sign N’Golo Kante this month, talkSPORT understands.

The Turkish giants have made an initial approach to his current club, Al Ittihad.

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Kante is out of contract in the summer and has yet to agree an extension with the Saudi Pro League side.

Al Ittihad are open to allowing the 34-year-old to leave the club but it is unclear whether that would be in January or the summer.

A departure would open the door for a new high-profile signing to arrive during the current window.

The club currently have all nine of their over-21 foreign player slots filled, with Kante leaving allowing Al Ittihad to register a new arrival.

Kante joined Al Ittihad in 2023 on a three-year deal, leaving the Premier League after spells with Leicester and Chelsea.

He was part of the side which won a league and cup double in Saudi Arabia last season.

So far this term, Kante has made 21 appearances across all competitions, scoring once.

However, Al Ittihad currently find themselves 12 points adrift of league leaders Al Hilal in sixth place.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce currently sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, three points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray.

Kante’s World Cup hopes

A move could boost Kante’s hopes of making France’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

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The midfielder made just a single appearance for Les Bleus in 2025, featuring against Ukraine in November.

That appearance was his 65th international cap, with Kante scoring twice for his country.

However, he missed the last World Cup in Qatar due to a hamstring injury amid a two-year national team hiatus.

Kante was part of Didier Deschamps’ squad for Euro 2024 as well as previously winning the 2018 World Cup.

He was snubbed for the Nations League Finals last year as well as the first four World Cup qualifiers in September and October.

France are set to return to action in March with a pair of friendlies in the USA.

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They will take on South American duo Brazil and Colombia in preparation for the tournament.

The group stage will then see France face Senegal and Norway as well as the winner of the play-off path involving Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.