Al-Ittihad demands emerge for N’Golo Kante after West Ham United open transfer talks
West Ham United won’t be able to sign N’Golo Kante for £20million from Al-Ittihad this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany.
Writing on their website (19 July, 8:50am), the news outlet report that the Hammers have held initial talks with the Saudi club about signing the 33-year-old midfielder.
But while The Guardian report [18 July] that West Ham are willing to spend £20million to bring him back to the Premier League, Sky Sports Germany say the “transfer fee being demanded is currently much higher” than that amount.
West Ham United can’t get carried away with Kante chase
There is obviously a lot of value in bringing Kante to east London this summer, with the midfield in need of being strengthened.
But while he was world-class in his prime, he is now 33 years old and isn’t the player he once was, despite his quality performances at Euro 2024 this summer.
£20million for a player past his prime and coming off a year in Saudi Arabia, which followed several injury hit years, would be a big gamble considering the current squad.
As an option to alternate with Edson Alvarez and come in for specific games he would be a terrific signing, but anything more than £20million would be pushing the envelope too far.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming days and weeks with this deal, but it’s clear there is some truth to the links and the Hammers are talking to the Saudis about getting a deal done.
In other West Ham news, the club are close to sealing a £37m deal for a Copa America star.
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