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N’Golo Kante close to joining Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad.
According to reports, Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is expected to join Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad on a lucrative two-year deal.
The 32-year-old’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires this summer, and there have been protracted negotiations over an extension.
West Londoners had faith that Kante will sign new contracts and extend his time at the club amid interest from Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
However, According to reports on Friday that Kante, who has experienced several injury issues and was limited to only seven Premier League matches last season, had received a Middle Eastern approach and was ready to hold talks to learn more about the Saudi Arabian market.
An agreement on a landmark two-year contract between Kante’s representatives and a PIF delegation from Saudi Arabia is reportedly close. The Frenchman will earn slightly less than his international teammate Benzema, who signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad on Tuesday.
Reports came that the transaction, which would put an end to Kante’s remarkable eight-season tenure in the Premier League, is currently undergoing final touches.
Kante, who is regarded as one of the best central midfielders of the contemporary period, was instrumental in helping Leicester City accomplish the seemingly impossible in 2015–16 by winning the Premier League title, and he repeated that accomplishment at Chelsea a year later.
Kante also played key parts in Chelsea’s Europa League and Champions League triumphs in 2018/19 and 2020/21, as well as nine more cup final appearances for the club.
His upcoming departure might signal the start of a radical overhaul of Chelsea’s bloated roster. Mauricio Pochettino, the club’s new manager, has a number of personnel decisions to make, and 90min knows that Kante may not be the only departure from central midfield.
Mateo Kovacic appears to be on his way out, maybe to Premier League champions Manchester City, while Mason Mount’s future at the club is questionable due to interest from a number of Premier League opponents.
The 24-year-old has reached a personal agreement with Manchester United, but if Pochettino decides he fits into his long-term plans, he may decide to stay in west London.