Over the past five weeks, football’s narrative has been dominated by the Copa America and the 2024 European Championship, yet clubs like West Ham United have been actively engaged in the transfer market.
Although parting ways with David Moyes was likely the right decision, there was a sense of uncertainty in east London as the club ventured into unknown territory.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have been working diligently to strengthen the first-team squad. While rumors about potential signings like center-back Jean-Clair Todibo and Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka have generated excitement, the latest player nearing a move to the London Stadium may be the most thrilling addition yet.
According to The Guardian, West Ham is in talks with Al-Ittihad regarding the transfer of N’Golo Kante, who has spent the last year in Saudi Arabia after leaving Chelsea.
Lopetegui has long admired the 33-year-old Kante, one of the most celebrated midfielders of his generation. The Irons attempted to sign him in 2015 before he joined Leicester City from Caen.
Kante was one of France’s standout performers at Euro 2024, demonstrating his ability to dominate the midfield with his trademark mobility and tenacity in regaining possession and advancing play.
Kante is an iconic Premier League figure, playing a pivotal role in Leicester City’s extraordinary Premier League victory in the 2015/16 season. He then moved to Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and the Champions League, among other honors.
Heralded as one of the best signings of the summer during Leicester’s historic achievement, Kante has thrived wherever he has played. He could potentially become West Ham’s best midfielder since Declan Rice, who was sold to Arsenal for £105 million last summer after a distinguished career in east London.
While Rice posted stronger defensive metrics in Germany over the past five weeks, Kante was more creative while maintaining an impressive 90% pass success rate. Additionally, Kante recorded notable statistics in tackling, intercepting, recovery rate, and progression frequency.
Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas once praised Kante for his “magic” on the pitch. Although Kante may not dominate the engine room for the next decade, he could provide Lopetegui’s side with several years of exemplary service. His presence would add vigor and resilience, potentially restoring West Ham to European competition and possibly even to trophy-winning heights.
