Fabrizio Romano gives N’Golo Kante update after reports linking him with Chelsea return

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Not many Chelsea fans would have thought that a potential return for N’Golo Kante could be on the cards this month.

But, his wage demands in Saudi Arabia make any move seem incredibly difficult. The midfielder is reportedly earning around £3.4 million per month at Al-Ittihad.

He was always going to be difficult to replace. Luiz was brought in last summer from Juventus, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations so far and has now returned to Aston Villa.

Liam Rosenior didn’t seem too keen on adding another midfielder before the deadline, and when asked about it, said:

“I can see why people would say that [there’s a need], but I think the most important thing is we don’t rush it and we bring someone in who’s ready.”

Kante’s Move to Fenerbahce picking up pace

While there’s been talk around Chelsea about a possible move for Kante, Fenerbahce appear to be well ahead in the chase.

It was reported that Kante is seeking a three-year contract from the Turkish club, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Fabrizio Romano has weighed in on the situation, speaking via DAZN on TikTok. While he didn’t mention Chelsea specifically, he did confirm Fenerbahce’s strong interest.

“On this one, I give you a 60% because while we are here, I can tell you that Fenerbahce are working hard to try to get N’Golo Kante as soon as possible.

“There is a negotiation basically daily with Al-Ittihad on the transfer fee because, yes, N’Golo Kante is out of contract in the summer, but at the moment, from Fenerbahce, the message is clear.”

How N’Golo Kante returning to Chelsea never made sense

Any agreement would have likely been a short-term one, which wouldn’t have matched what the 33-year-old was looking for at this stage of his career.

Chelsea’s focus has clearly shifted toward younger talent in recent seasons, with players like Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro representing that approach. Even so, there’s been growing talk—led by figures like Jamie Redknapp—about the need for more experience, particularly in defence.

While youth brings energy and potential, there are moments in a season when know-how becomes just as valuable. Someone like Thiago Silva has shown how important that experience can be during difficult stretches.

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