Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are reportedly in discussions to sign midfielder N’Golo Kanté on a short-term loan from league rivals Al Ittihad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, according to transfer insider David Ornstein.
While no agreement has been finalised, Ornstein reports that there is growing optimism a deal could be completed:
“Al Hilal are in talks to sign N’Golo Kanté on a short-term loan deal from fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad for the Club World Cup. An agreement has not yet been reached but there is optimism that a deal can be done.”
Both Al Hilal and Al Ittihad are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which took control of four top clubs—Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli—before the 2023 summer window.
Al Hilal qualified for the newly expanded Club World Cup as the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, making them the only Saudi club in the tournament.
Kanté, 34, joined Al Ittihad from Chelsea on a free transfer in July 2023 and played a key role in their league title win last season, finishing eight points ahead of Al Hilal. The French international has made 81 appearances for Al Ittihad so far.
Before his move to Saudi Arabia, Kanté enjoyed a successful seven-year spell at Chelsea, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup in 269 appearances. He originally joined the Blues from Leicester City for £30 million in 2016, shortly after helping them to their historic Premier League title.
Under new head coach Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal currently feature a star-studded squad including Rúben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Kalidou Koulibaly—Kanté’s former Chelsea teammate.
Al Hilal will begin their Club World Cup campaign against Real Madrid on June 18, followed by matches against Red Bull Salzburg on June 22 and Pachuca on June 26.
