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Football Insider

N’Golo Kante Completes Dramatic Fenerbahce Transfer After Termination of Al-Ittihad Contract

In a stunning turn of events, N’Golo Kante has signed with Fenerbahce after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad, ending a transfer saga that seemed doomed just 24 hours ago due to administrative issues.

N’Golo Kante Completes Dramatic Fenerbahce Transfer After Termination of Al-Ittihad Contract

N’Golo Kante has officially completed a dramatic move to Fenerbahce after agreeing to terminate his contract with Al-Ittihad. The French World Cup winner has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2028, returning to European football after FIFA finally granted the green light following an administrative blunder that had initially derailed the switch.The transfer saga involving Kante and Fenerbahce has reached a successful conclusion, less than 24 hours after it appeared to have collapsed in acrimony. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated that the midfielder has signed a contract that will keep him in Istanbul until the summer of 2028.This development comes as a massive relief to the Turkish giants, who had been left reeling after the initial deadline passed without ratification. The breakthrough occurred after both clubs received official approval from FIFA to proceed with the registration. It appears that the governing body accepted the appeal lodged by Fenerbahce regarding the technical issues faced during the Transfer Matching System (TMS) window.Al-Ittihad also released a brief official statement confirming the departure, posting on social media: "The club agrees to sell the remaining period of N’Golo Kanté’s contract." This formal release allowed the player to finalise his exit from the Saudi Pro League and immediately commit to his new challenge in the Super Lig, bringing an end to the uncertainty that had clouded the player's future over the last 48 hours.The confirmation of the deal marks a stunning turnaround from the events of Tuesday, where the transfer, which would also have seen Youssef En-Nesyri head from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, seemed dead in the water. Fenerbahce had released a furious statement explicitly blaming Al-Ittihad for a data entry error within the TMS that caused the deadline to be missed. The Turkish club claimed they had fulfilled all obligations, including health checks and paperwork, only to be let down by their Saudi counterparts failing to upload the necessary documents in time.That statement had suggested relations between the clubs were fractured, with Fenerbahce accusing Al-Ittihad of ghosting them without justification. However, it appears that intense behind-the-scenes work and "necessary negotiations" with FIFA have borne fruit. The "green light" from FIFA suggests that the governing body acknowledged the technical nature of the failure and exercised discretion to allow the transfer to be completed outside the strict parameters of the window, or validated the timestamp of the original attempt.The resolution ensures that Fenerbahce have not missed out on their primary midfield target, turning what looked like a PR disaster and an administrative embarrassment into a significant market coup.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!While Kante arrives in Istanbul, Moroccan striker En-Nesyri has successfully completed his move in the opposite direction. Al-Ittihad officially announced the capture of the forward via their social media channels in the wake of Kante's move being confirmed.The completion of En-Nesyri's transfer was integral to unlocking the Kante deal. Initially, it was feared that the same administrative errors blocking the Frenchman's exit would also strand the striker in Turkey.En-Nesyri leaves Fenerbahce after a mixed spell, but his stock remains high in the region. His arrival in Jeddah provides the Saudi Pro League side with a potent attacking threat, effectively resolving their search for a number nine while facilitating the departure of a high-earning foreign star in Kante to balance their squad quota.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSecuring Kante is a statement of intent for Fenerbahce as they look to assert their dominance domestically and compete in Europe. The initial collapse of the deal had left the technical staff and fans deflated, particularly given the specific tactical role Kante was earmarked for. His ability to break up play and drive the team forward is seen as the missing piece of the puzzle for the squad's structure.The transfer will see Kante return to England later this month with Fenerbahce taking on Nottingham Forest in the Europa League play-off tie. The Istanbul club are currently second in their domestic league, trailing reigning champions and eternal rivals Galatasaray by three points.

1

A Rollercoaster Transfer Journey

N’Golo Kante's move to Fenerbahce has been anything but straightforward. Initially at a standstill, the transfer finally saw the light of day after FIFA intervened and gave their approval for the deal to proceed. This decision came following a series of technical hurdles that had threatened to derail the transfer altogether.

2

The Crucial Breakthrough

After both clubs, Fenerbahce and Al-Ittihad, received the green light from FIFA, the much-anticipated transfer was finally able to go through successfully. The official confirmation from Al-Ittihad of Kanté's departure paved the way for him to start his new chapter at Fenerbahce, bringing relief to all parties involved.

3

Navigating Troubled Waters

The relationship between the two clubs hit a rough patch when an administrative error within the Transfer Matching System caused the deadline to pass without agreement. Fenerbahce expressed frustration, accusing Al-Ittihad of negligence. However, negotiations and FIFA's discretion ultimately saved the deal from collapse.

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En-Nesyri's Role in the Puzzle

Youssef En-Nesyri's successful move to Al-Ittihad played a crucial role in unlocking the Kante deal. His departure from Turkey not only balanced the squad quota but also provided Fenerbahce with the opportunity to secure their desired midfield reinforcement.

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Fenerbahce's Ambitious Move

Securing a player of Kante’s caliber is a strong statement of intent for Fenerbahce as they aim for domestic success and a strong showing in European competition. The technical staff and fans are eager to witness Kante's contribution, viewing him as the missing link in the team's tactical setup.

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Next Chapter: Europa League Play-Offs

The completion of N’Golo Kante's transfer sees him preparing to return to Europe, with Fenerbahce set to face Nottingham Forest in the Europa League play-off tie. This marks a new chapter in Kante's career as he takes on fresh challenges with his new club in Istanbul.

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Conclusion

The turbulent transfer journey of N’Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad to Fenerbahce showcases the complexities and uncertainties involved in modern football transfers. However, with FIFA's intervention and the determination of all parties involved, the deal has finally come to fruition, setting the stage for Kante's exciting new chapter in European football.

Published on Feb 4, 2026