Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has officially completed his transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, as confirmed by the club. After a successful seven-year spell at Chelsea, the French player will now join forces with his compatriot Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad, signing a lucrative four-year contract.
The trend of European players moving to the Middle East continues, with Kante set to earn a staggering €100 million (approximately £85.5 million) in addition to image and commercial rights during his four-year tenure, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The official unveiling of Kante as an Al Ittihad player is scheduled for July, adding another marquee name to the growing list of European stars opting for Saudi Arabian clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo initiated this movement when he joined Al Nassr in January, and Benzema’s recent move to reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad further intensified the trend. Additionally, a transfer for a Wolves midfielder to Al Hilal is nearing completion.
Several of Kante’s former Chelsea teammates, including Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, and Romelu Lukaku, have been linked with potential moves to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the allure of the region. This comes as Chelsea aims to comply with financial fair play regulations, with significant expenditure exceeding £600 million since Todd Boehly assumed control of the club in May 2022.
Kante’s transfer marks the first major departure from Stamford Bridge this summer, while rumors suggest that Mason Mount could potentially join Manchester United, further shaping the landscape of the Premier League ahead of the upcoming season.