West Ham United are reportedly in talks with Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad to sign midfielder N'Golo Kante.
The France international enjoyed a successful eight-year stay in England, initially moving to Leicester City where he became an integral member of the Foxes side that defined all the odds to win the 2015-16 Premier League title.
After one season at the King Power Stadium, Kante secured a £32m move to Chelsea in 2016 and went on to serve the Blues for seven seasons, making 269 appearances across all competitions.
Kante was regarded by many as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football during his time at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, Europa league and FA Cup, while he was also named the Premier League and PFA's Player of the Year in 2016-17.
Now 33, Kante departed Chelsea upon the expiration of his contract last summer as he became one of many global stars to make the switch to Saudi Arabia, signing a three-year contract with Al Ittihad worth a reported £86m per season.
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Kante 'open' to sensational Premier League return
Kante chipped in with four goals and six assists in 44 appearances for Al Ittihad, who could not defend their Saudi Pro League title and had to settle for a fifth-placed finish in 2023-24.
Although he still has two years left to run on his bumper contract at Al Ittihad, Kante is now being tipped to make a sensational return to the Premier League.
According to The Guardian, West Ham hope to sign Kante from Al Ittihad this summer and negotiations between the two parties are ongoing, with there being a willingness to get a deal done on both sides.
Kante is said to be content at his current club in the Middle East, but he would be open to returning to London, just 12 months after leaving Chelsea.
West Ham would be required to fork out a fee in the region of £20m to acquire the services of Kante, who proved for France at Euro 2024 that he can still perform at the highest level.
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Lopetegui keen to recruit new midfielder
They are now managed by Julen Lopetegui, a long-term admirer of Kante who was keen to sign the midfielder during his brief stint in charge of Real Madrid.
The Hammers are said to be eager to recruit a new defensive midfielder this summer after deciding against signing Kalvin Phillips on a permanent basis from Manchester City following an unsuccessful loan spell during the second half of last season.
Flynn Downes has also left West Ham, joining Southampton on a permanent deal for around £18m, leaving the Hammers light in the midfield department.
West Ham signed Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to bolster their midfield ranks last summer, while Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek and academy graduate George Earthy are also at Lopetegui's disposal.
Lopetegui has made a total of three signings so far this summer, spending in excess of £60m to lure centre-back Max Kilman and winger Luis Guilherme to the London Stadium, while backup goalkeeper Wes Foderingham has joined on a free transfer.
Oliver Thomas
