N’Golo Kante tipped for January transfer as Chelsea icon shows true colours

N'Golo Kante is out of contract at Al-Ittihad this summer and is now free to talk to clubs - with the former Chelsea midfielder advancing in talks to sign for Fenerbahce in Turkey

Chelsea icon N'Golo Kante is making progress in talks to join Fenerbahce, it has been claimed. The 34-year-old has spent the last two-and-a-half years at Al-Ittihad, having left the Blues for the Saudi Pro League side in June 2023.

However, with Kante's contract set to expire this summer and no new deal agreed at Al-Ittihad, he appears ready to depart Saudi Arabia for a fresh start in Turkey. Sky Germany reports that Kante has given his personal approval to Fenerbahce and is willing to accept an 80 per cent wage cut to facilitate the move.

The two-time Premier League champion currently earns £400,000 per week at Al-Ittihad, but he's prepared to see his salary drop to approximately £80,000 per week at Fenerbahce.

Kante is said to be impressed by Fenerbahce's ambition, as evidenced by their signings of Sofyan Amrabat, Ederson, Marco Asensio, Nelson Semedo, Jhon Duran, Edson Alvarez, Archie Brown, Dorgeles Nene, Kerem Akturkoglu, Milan Skriniar and Tarik Cetin last summer, followed by Anthony Musaba, Mert Gunok and former Arsenal midfielder Mateo Guendouzi this month.

Fenerbahce are currently second in the Super Lig standings, trailing leaders and fierce rivals Galatasaray by three points after winning 11 and drawing six of their 17 matches. They did, however, secure a 2-0 victory over Gala in the Turkish Super Cup on Saturday.

Under the guidance of sporting director Devin Ozek, who took over from Mario Branco last June, Fenerbahce are optimistic about finalising a deal following their approach for the France international.

Al-Ittihad, nevertheless, are reluctant to part ways with Kante in January, though they would be unable to prevent the midfielder from negotiating a free transfer that would take effect next summer.

Sergio Conceicao, the Al-Ittihad's head coach, brushed aside speculation regarding a potential departure for Kante earlier this week. He said: "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."

Kante has featured 22 times in Saudi Arabia this campaign, finding the net on one occasion. He was in the starting XI for Al-Ittihad's 1-1 stalemate with Damac on Tuesday, lining up alongside former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in the engine room.

The ex-Leicester City ace stands as one of the most successful midfielders of his era, claiming the World Cup with France in 2018, Premier League titles with both the Foxes and Chelsea, where he also lifted the Champions League.

Across his seven-year spell at Chelsea, Kante turned out 269 times, netting 13 goals. He remains revered as an icon at Stamford Bridge - collecting six major honours during his stint in west London.