Fenerbahce blamed Al-Ittihad for N’Golo Kante transfer collapse, citing administrative errors in the FIFA Transfer Matching System

Fenerbahce Football Club has held Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad responsible for the collapse of the proposed transfer of France midfielder N’Golo Kante, citing administrative errors that prevented registration before the deadline.

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The Turkish club confirmed that all obligations on their side were completed, including agreements with the players involved and the successful completion of Kante’s medical examinations.

The transfer was structured as a swap deal, with Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri expected to move in the opposite direction.

Fenerbahce officials said the deal fell through due to incorrect information entered by Al-Ittihad into the FIFA Transfer Matching System, which blocked the transaction from being finalised on time.

The club requested an extension and engaged with FIFA to resolve the issue, but the opposing side failed to complete the necessary steps.

“The transactions could not be completed within the transfer registration period independently of our club,” Fenerbahce stated. “Despite every effort, the opposing club has not finalised the deal or provided justification for the failure.”

The failed transfer comes as Al-Ittihad experiences major changes, including the departure of France striker Karim Benzema to Saudi rivals Al-Hilal.

En-Nesyri was expected to replace Benzema as part of the arrangement.

Kante, 34, joined Al-Ittihad from Chelsea in 2023 following a highly successful career in England.

He won the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, and FA Cup with Chelsea, as well as the Premier League title with Leicester City in the 2015–16 season.

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The collapse of the deal leaves questions over Al-Ittihad’s administrative processes and highlights the high stakes involved in international football transfers, particularly when swap deals and multiple parties are involved.