Fenerbahce Speaks Out on Failure to Sign N'Golo Kante

N'Golo Kante failed to move to Fenerbahce from Al Ittihad (Instagram/@nglkante).

JAKARTA - N'Golo Kante's move from Al Ittihad to Fenerbahce failed, a day after the Saudi transfer window closed.

Kante was supposed to move from Al Ittihad to Fenerbahce--with Youssef En-Nesyri from the Turkish club moving in the opposite direction--but both transfers failed to materialize.

Fenerbahce blamed Al Ittihad in a statement on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, local time, after the transfer window for clubs in Saudi Arabia ended. While the transfer market for clubs in Turkey remains open until Friday, February 6, 2026.

"The transfer process involving Al Ittihad Club, N'Golo Kante, and Youssef En-Nesyri has been carefully managed by our club in accordance with our plans and with great care in all respects."

"In this process, which is going according to the request of our technical staff, an agreement has been reached with the players."

"The health examination of the player to be transferred has been completed, the necessary approvals have been obtained, and our club has fulfilled all its obligations in a timely and complete manner."

"The documents related to the transfer registration have been uploaded to the system correctly and completely within the specified period."

"However, due to the error in filling in the relevant TMS information by the opposing club (Al Ittihad), the procedure could not be completed within the transfer registration period independently of our club."

"Therefore, an extension of time is requested, the necessary discussions have been carried out with FIFA by our club. All steps have been taken to complete the process."

"Nevertheless, in the ongoing process, the procedure has not been completed by the opposing club without giving us any explanation."

"As a result of this development, unfortunately, the transfer process cannot be completed. We understand and share the disappointment caused by this process in our community."

"Our club continues to arrange the squad with the same determination and discipline in accordance with the purpose of the sport," said Fenerbahce's statement.

This means that Kante will remain at Al Ittihad. Apart from that, they will lose Karim Benzema who has moved to the Saudi Pro League rival, Al Hilal.