Al-Ittihad: After Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté refuses to play

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·3 febbraio 2026

Al-Ittihad: After Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté refuses to play

Just hours after Karim Benzema's departure, tensions are running high at Al-Ittihad. N'Golo Kanté has decided not to play either.

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Al-Ittihad's transfer of N'Golo Kanté to Fenerbahçe was called off due to a mistake by the Saudi club in finalizing the deal with FIFA. In response, the Turkish side has filed an appeal with the world governing body, hoping to get the deal approved—a move that would also have seen striker Youssef En-Nesyri head in the opposite direction.

KAMUOYUNA BİLGİLENDİRME Al Ittihad Kulübü ile N’Golo Kanté ve Youssef En-Nesyri’yi kapsayan transfer süreci, kulübümüz tarafından planlandığı şekilde ve tüm yönleriyle titizlikle yürütülmüştür. Teknik heyetimizin talebi doğrultusunda ilerleyen bu süreçte oyuncularla anlaşma
– martedì 3 febbraio 2026

But while awaiting a possible resolution, N'Golo Kanté has made a bold decision according to L'Equipe this Tuesday. The French midfielder is refusing to play for Al-Ittihad until further notice. Unsurprisingly, Kanté—whose contract runs until next June—wants to put pressure on the club to facilitate a move to Fenerbahçe.

In Turkey, the transfer window remains open until Friday.