According to media reports, Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian soccer champions, are on the brink of securing French midfielder N’Golo Kante from Chelsea in a deal worth a reported $108 million annually. Kante’s proposed move to Al-Ittihad is expected to be signed within the next 24 hours, with his medical already underway.
Kante has been a vital player for Chelsea, helping the club win the Premier League and Champions League titles in recent years. His signing is expected to be a boost for Al-Ittihad as they look to retain their Saudi Pro League title. The midfielder’s leadership skills, tactical awareness, and experience are likely to be invaluable assets to the team.
The move also underlines the financial might of Saudi Arabian clubs, with Al-Ittihad reportedly agreeing to pay Kante six times his current salary.
The Frenchman’s transfer is part of a growing trend in Saudi Arabia’s sports investments, with the country’s clubs making several high-profile signings and mergers in recent years. Al-Ittihad, in particular, has been active in the transfer market, having signed Karim Benzema from Real Madrid last week.
Read more: Could Man United’s sale to Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim be announced soon?
Al-Hilal, another top team in the Saudi Pro League, was reportedly in the race to acquire Lionel Messi. However, the Argentine World Cup winner decided to make the move from Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami in the United States.
Al-Nassr, which came runner-up in the SPL by five points, made headlines last December by signing Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Man United stock up
Meanwhile, shares of Manchester United rose by 13.8% after reports emerged that Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is set to be announced as the preferred bidder for the club. The Sheikh has been competing with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for control of the club after the controlling Glazer family hinted at a possible sale.
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