N’Golo Kante, the former Chelsea midfielder, is “open” to playing in the Premier League again after West Ham made an unexpected offer for him.
After parting ways with Chelsea last summer, Kante has spent the previous 12 months playing for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
The 33-year-old experienced additional success at Stamford Bridge, winning another league title, the FA Cup, the Europa League, and the Champions League during his time in west London. He had previously played a key role in Leicester City’s historic Premier League victory.
In 2016, the player joined with Chelsea. According to The Guardian, Kante is already interested in going back to the Premier League despite having won a lucrative deal to Saudi Arabia about this time last year.
West Ham have initiated discussions to recruit the 33-year-old, who is content at Al-Ittihad but refuses to rule out a return to the English capital.
The Hammers, who selected Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ replacement at the conclusion of last season, would have to pay Al-Ittihad about £20 million to get Kante.
While there is sometimes worry about the quality of players who have spent time in the Saudi league, Kante demonstrated his form and fitness at Euro 2024, helping France reach the semi-finals before losing narrowly to eventual champions Spain.
West Ham are keen to sign a new defensive midfielder this summer after Kalvin Philipps’ underwhelming loan spell at the club last season.
Lopetegui, 57, is a known admirer of Kante and considered signing him during his brief time in charge of Real Madrid.
West Ham have made three signings so far this summer, adding Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham to a squad that finished ninth in the Premier League last term.
Kante opened the door to a potential summer move during Euro 2024 and credited Chelsea for helping him develop as a player.
Asked if his career in Europe was over, Kante said at a press conference: ‘No, it’s not over. I appreciate the feedback. In Saudi Arabia, it’s new football, a new experience.
‘Finding these feelings again with the French team is beautiful, it touches me, we want to do well.
‘But that’s not a question I’m asking myself today.’
Kante added: ‘I feel good, last season went well with Al-Ittihad in Arabia, we had a good preparation with the French team.
‘At the moment I feel good, I hope this continues. In any case, there are the players needed to replace me if ever there is a problem, but I want to continue, to give the maximum.’
Chelsea, meanwhile, have been slammed for their ‘shameful’ decision to sell World Cup winner Kante.
‘I’m frustrated as a former Chelsea player,’ Frank Leboeuf told BoyleSports. ‘I still follow all my former clubs and especially Chelsea, as something special happened with me and the fans there when I was at the club.
‘My frustration is now turning to anger. Chelsea change coaches but they are not thinking differently.
‘I try to stay neutral – even when Chelsea play Man United – but I have to be professional.
‘Chelsea as a football club is just not working and we are becoming a mockery for other clubs.
‘We live in the present and not the future, fans want results and I want results, I don’t want to wait four years to get them.
’We need to sign spine players – look at what N’Golo Kante is doing at the Euros – it’s shameful why we’re getting rid of these players.
‘There’s no consistency and we also got rid of Thiago Silva, who was our only experienced defender.
’We have talented players but they are far too young. There needs to be a blend of youth and wisdom of experience and we don’t have that.
‘That is why we’re good and then terrible 15 minutes later and this is the new normal.’