French international N'Golo Kanté, midfielder for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, is close to reviving his dream of returning to European football, despite Al-Ittihad's management offering him a contract extension for two and a half years.

The website "Foto Mercato" revealed that 35-year-old Kanté has shown openness to the idea of moving to Turkish club Fenerbahçe, following initial contacts between the two parties in recent days.

Kanté is currently experiencing a professional stint in the Saudi league, but he is open to taking on a new challenge in Europe, aiming to compete at a higher level ahead of the 2026 World Cup with the French national team.

Sources close to the matter believe that returning to an ambitious club like Fenerbahçe could enhance Kanté's chances of being included in France's World Cup squad, especially given his extensive experience in major tournaments.

On the other hand, The Athletic network pointed out that Kanté's contract with Al-Ittihad expires at the end of the current season, and no final agreement on renewal has been reached so far.

The position of Al-Ittihad Club remains undecided, amid questions about whether the player will be allowed to leave during the winter transfer window or if they will wait until the end of his contract.

Fenerbahçe's sporting director, Devin Özik, is leading the negotiations with Kanté, as the Turkish club has made an official offer, with strong confidence in reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties.