N’Golo Kante ready to join West Ham United as Julen Lopetegui looks to sign long-term target
N’Golo Kanté is open to returning to London as West Ham engage in talks to sign him from Al-Ittihad, The Guardian reports.
According to Will Unwin via the paper’s website the former Chelsea star is prepared to return to the Premier League just a year after leaving Stamford Bridge with transfer talks in progress.
Julen Lopetegui is said to be a long-term admirer of the World Cup-winning France international and wanted to sign him previously during his ill-fated spell in charge at Real Madrid.
Kanté, 33, is said to be happy in the Saudi Pro League but would not be against coming back to England on the other side of the capital.
Former Chelsea and Leicester star open to West Ham move
Kanté being famously down to earth has become something of a cliché but might make him one of the few players of his calibre who would be prepared to leave a contract reported to be worth up to €100million a year [£86.2m] at Al-Ittihad [Guardian] to head to the London Stadium.
It goes without saying there is no way the Hammers can hope to match a salary like that but if they could do a deal for around £20m it would be a major coup despite his age.
He appeared to be slowing down after an injury-ravaged final season at Stamford Bridge where he made only nine total appearances.
But 44 outings for the Saudi Pro League side saw him play his way back into Didier Deschamps France side where he started every game for Les Bleus in Germany and outshone most, if not all, of his teammates.
The Irons failed in their bid to bring in Aleix Garcia from Girona earlier this summer as they lost out to Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen.
They have also allowed Flynn Downes to rejoin Southampton on a permanent deal after last season on loan, despite a late hijack attempt from Ipswich [Alex Crook, 16 July].
But in terms of central midfield options there are still few of a higher quality than Kanté so if a deal can be done it could be a potential game-changer for at least a season or two.
In other West Ham news, a Premier League club is planning a “major” move to sign an Irons star they think they can get despite the Irons not wanting to do business.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.