Article body analysed
By BEN WILLCOCKS Published: 03: 20 AEDT, 4 April 2025 | Updated: 03: 20 AEDT, 4 April 2025 2 View comments N'Golo Kante has entered talks with a former Manchester United manager over a potential return to Europe this summer, according to reports. The ex-Leicester and Chelsea star, who left the Premier League for Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023, is reportedly keen to leave the club at the end of the season after two campaigns in the Saudi Pro League. Kante, who won the World Cup with France in 2018 and is still an active member of Didier Deschamps' squad, could be set for a shock return to Europe after entering talks with former Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Besiktas boss, who took over the Turkish club in January four years after his sack from Old Trafford, has identified Kante as a key transfer target ahead of the summer and already entered discussions with the player, according to Turkish outlet Yeni Asir. Besiktas, who triumphed 2-1 over fierce Turkish rivals Galatasaray on Saturday, are expected to launch a bid for the 34-year-old midfielder at the end of the season, with Solskjaer having already outlined his desire to sign him to the club's hierarchy. Kante was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United manager between 2018 and 2021, winning the both the Europa League (2018-19) and Champions League (2020-21) with Chelsea during that period. N'Golo Kante has entered talks with a former Man United boss over a potential return to Europe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly keen to sign the French midfielder for Besiktas this summer Kante won the Premier League with both Leicester and Chelsea before moving to Saudi Arabia The Frenchman, who also won the Premier League, FA Cup and Club World Cup with the Blues during his time at Stamford Bridge, was a crucial reason behind Leicester City's shock title Premier League triumph back in 2016. The Turkish newspaper claims Kante, who has chalked up 64 caps for France so far in his career, is interested in a move to Besiktas and will even take a pay cut on his salary in an effort to return to Europe. Ahead of the January transfer window, it was claimed by The Guardian that West Ham were keen on signing the veteran midfielder. The newspaper reported that the Hammers were prepared to activate Kante's £21million release clause at Al-Ittihad, but the Saudi Pro League club were keen to keep the Frenchman at least until the summer.
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group