Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia Pro League is currently negotiating a short-term loan deal to bring midfielder N’Golo Kanté from rivals Al Ittihad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States, this is according to transfer expert David Ornstein.
While no agreement has been finalised yet, there is growing optimism that a deal can be reached.
“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,” Ornstein reported. “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 also have a stake in Al Nassr, and Al Ahli since 2023 summer.
Al Hilal earned their spot in the expanded Club World Cup as the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, making them the only Saudi representative at the tournament.
Kanté, who signed for Al Ittihad on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2023 played a key role in their Saudi Pro League title-winning campaign last season, finishing eight points ahead of their close rival Al Hilal.
The veteran midfielder has since made 81 appearances for Al Ittihad, he previously starred at Chelsea and won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and FA Cup across seven years with 269 appearances.
Al Hilal, who is now led by former Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi, boasts a squad of high profile former European stars such as Rúben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Kanté’s ex-Chelsea teammate Kalidou Koulibaly.
The club will kick start 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.
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