Mercato Chelsea: Saudi Arabia arrive in London for Kanté
Saudi emissaries are in London to make an official offer to N'Golo Kanté, whose contract with Chelsea expires on June 30.
Saudi Arabia doesn't intend to stop at Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. In addition to these two stars and Lionel Messi, who has a record bid from Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia is looking to recruit a dozen stars from Europe this summer, and yesterday announced the privatization of its clubs.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which already owns Newcastle, yesterday took control of four major Saudi clubs: Al-Ittihad, where Benzema will sign, Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Hilal, who are courting Messi, and Al-Ahli, who are moving up to the top flight.
Saudi Arabia offer Kanté €100m
As reported yesterday by AFP, Saudi Arabia are also interested in N'Golo Kanté, whose contract with Chelsea expires on June 30. According to Fabrizio Romano, Saudi emissaries are in London to offer a €100m contract to the 32-year-old French world champion, who is being courted by Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.
🚨 EXCL: Saudi emissaries, in London to present an official proposal to N’Golo Kanté. CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 6, 2023
Salary bid could reach €100m inclusive of the image rights commercial deals.
Al Ittihad and Al Nassr, on it.
Kanté always gave priority to new deal at Chelsea — it was close in March. pic.twitter.com/tACQjcPLPW
According to Matteo Moretto, Kanté is in advanced discussions with Al-Ittihad and the Saudi offer is for a two-year contract with a total package of €100 million. Last March, Kanté was close to extending his Chelsea contract, but has yet to do so. The Saudi offer could well change all that...