Response to verbal offer for N’Golo Kante is received by West Ham United.

According to David Ornstein, West Ham’s £15 million “verbal” transfer offer for N’Golo Kante was turned down by the midfield player’s team, Al-Ittihad.

On July 19, Ornstein wrote in The Athletic that the day before, the Irons had considered a proposal for the French international worth £15 million, but they had been informed that the Saudi team had no intention of selling Kante.

According to reports, Al-Ittihad will not entertain the idea of allowing the 33-year-old to leave the team this summer for a sum of money less than £25 million; any offer will probably need to exceed that amount.

Kante is rumored to be content with his current job in Saudi Arabia and will return to Al-Ittihad’s preseason training camp in the coming days after making an impression for France at Euro 2024 [L’Equipe, 19 July].
The arrival of N’Golo Kante might revolutionize West Ham.
With six starts during France’s march to the semi-finals at Euro 2024, Kante’s performances there put any doubts about his ability to succeed at the highest level to rest.

After leaving Chelsea last summer, the 33-year-old has only been playing in the Middle East for one season; therefore, the Hammers might still profit greatly from his return to London.

Going into the next season, Julen Lopetegui’s team is undoubtedly not lacking defensive midfield options, but Kante would present a far different option than players like Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek.

Setting Kante up in the Irons’ starting lineup could be essential for ensuring a successful start to the new season, considering the latter sustained an injury while playing for Mexico internationally.

Although the Hammers may not be able to afford to pay a cost of £25 million or more for a 33-year-old this summer, Lopetegui’s early career has demonstrated that he isn’t hesitant to fight for big-money signings.