West Ham United source issues 2-word N’Golo Kante update after weeks of talks on top target
N’Golo Kanté is a “long shot” for West Ham but “there are legs” to the club hoping to sign him this summer, according to Sean Whetstone.
The Six Foot Two editor reported via his account on X (19 July) that there have been weeks of talks over a move for the former Chelsea midfielder already and both Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui are interested.
A “source close to the club” is said to have classified the pursuit as a “long shot” but work has been put in towards a deal which The Guardian reported (18 July) had a willingness on both sides and with the the player.
According to Fabrizio Romano earlier on 19 July the Hammers approached Al-Ittihad on the basis of Kanté now being their “top target” but the Italian claimed the Saudi’s don’t want to sell.
Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten want ex-Chelsea star at West Ham in transfer window
There must be some belief that the Irons can land the World Cup and Champions League winner because Steidten and Lopetegui surely don’t have time to waste on flights of fancy.
After he was arguably the stand-out performer for Didier Deschamp’s disappointing France side at Euro 2024 it appears it may have resurrected the new manager’s old hopes of signing the 33-year-old.
Unless the entire endeavour is simply designed to put the Hammers in the conversation with a higher level of signing the widely-reported talks suggest a deal is possible.
Whether it ends up being done is another matter and some may see the pursuit as misguided anyway when a £20m fee has been suggested for a player who had injury issues towards the end of his time at Chelsea.
On the other side of the arguement is the fact that Kanté can make a strong case for still being the best defensive midfielder in the world when on form so even for a season or two the investment could be valid if he can stay fit.
And having backed up 44 appearances for Al-Ittihad last term with six starts in Germany for Les Bleus it suggests he has overcome his previous struggles.
In other West Ham news, a £100million-plus update has emerged on a potentially huge sale from the London Stadium.
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