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4 months ago
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West Ham are said to be interested in signing former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad during the summer transfer window.
According to The Guardian, negotiations between the two parties are ongoing but both sides are eager to get a deal across the line.
Kante is said to be happy in Saudi Arabia and enjoying life at Al-Ittihad, but reports are stating he would be interested in returning to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, West Ham are in market for a new defensive midfielder after they decided against singing Kalvin Phillips on a permanent basis following his disappointing loan spell at the club.
However, the Hammers would need to pay in the region of £20million to secure Kante's services for the 2024-2025 season - according to The Guardian.
West Ham are said to be interested in signing former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad during the summer transfer window
West Ham are in market for a new defensive midfielder after they decided against singing Kalvin Phillips on a permanent basis following his disappointing loan spell at the club
Although, the club's new manager, Julen Lopetegui, is said to be a long-term admirer of Kante's and could push a deal through.
It's believe Lopetegui wanted to sign the midfielder during spell at Real Madrid but a deal never came to fruition.
A potential move to West Ham would end Kante's stay in Saudi Arabia - having joined Al-Ittihad on a two-year-deal worth £172m after leaving Chelsea upon the expiry of his contract.
Kante's move to Saudi Arabia was confirmed in the summer of 2023, bringing an end to his seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
During his time at the club, Kante won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Chelsea hailed him as a 'club legend' in their farewell statement and said his influence on the first XI could never be 'overstated'.
Kante joined Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad on a two-year-deal worth £172m after leaving Chelsea upon the expiry of his contract
Kante joined Chelsea in 2016 after playing a pivotal role in Leicester City's improbable title triumph the previous season.
In his first year at the club, Kante won the league again under Antonio Conte, and continued to add to his collection by lifting the FA Cup and Europa League in the following two seasons, while also winning the World Cup with France.
It is his performances in Chelsea's run to Champions League glory in 2021, though, that Kante will be most fondly remembered for by Chelsea fans.
The Frenchman was Chelsea's standout player in the quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid, the team's semi-final win over Real Madrid and in the final against Manchester City.
His display against Pep Guardiola's men is widely regarded as one of the great final performances in recent years, with City unable to find a way past him as Chelsea picked up a shock 1-0 win.
N'Golo Kante played a key role in Chelsea's Champions League triumph in 2021
He also won the Premier League with Chelsea in his first year at the club in 2017
Kante's final season at Chelsea was badly disrupted by injuries, and the 32-year-old was only able to play seven Premier League matches.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Kante looked likely to extend his deal earlier in the campaign to remain at Chelsea, but eventually opted to switch west London for the Middle East.
However, he could be set for a return to the English top-flight with West Ham interested in bringing the 33-year-old back to the UK.
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