One Kanté at West Ham United is evidently not enough, because the Hammers are reported to have made an enquiry over the availability of N’Golo Kanté as they continue to explore midfield reinforcements during the January transfer window.
The 34-year-old currently plays for Al-Ittihad and is entering the final months of his contract, having joined the Saudi Pro League side in 2023. With his deal expiring at the end of the season, Kanté’s future has inevitably become the subject of growing transfer speculation.
During an illustrious seven-year spell at Chelsea, Kanté won virtually everything on offer. That pedigree is undeniable. But let’s be honest, chasing a player of this age smacks of desperation rather than long-term thinking. There is no doubt Kanté was a quality player, but West Ham are already ponderously slow at times and there are surely other areas of the squad that require urgent surgery first.
West Ham are said to be among several clubs monitoring his situation, but competition appears strong. Transfer hack Ben Jacobs has suggested that Fenerbahçe are currently leading the race.
Speaking on the situation, Jacobs said:
“Kanté wants the move. Fenerbahçe are the frontrunners, even though I’m told West Ham also made another enquiry in the last 48 hours. They’re confident they have the buy-in from the player, but there is still work to do with Al-Ittihad.”
Whether West Ham’s interest is genuinely serious remains unclear. However, even after the much-needed win against Tottenham Hotspur, it is obvious that further signings are required — and you would argue centre-back and pace should be far higher up the list than another ageing midfielder who would struggle to give Rodriguez a race.
Just buy some defenders. It’s not rocket science….
I don’t think our defensive problems are lack of pace. We’ve got Wan Bissaka and Diouf. More likely we have CB’s who can’t head the ball. Even worse than that is the fact that, in our own penalty area, those defending are often not in a position to defend properly. We generally have one defender to block a shot but after that oppositions find their teammates far too often.
I agree that Kante is a move which seems to smack of desperation but, at the same time, we’ve got his young namesake, Potts and Magassa (and you could arguably include Fernandes alongside them) so he could be an incredible role model for each of those.
But to say that he “would struggle to give Rodriguez a race” is honestly the most incredibly wrong assessment you could give. Kante can effortlessly run the same speed at kickoff as he can in the 90th minute- and that isn’t because he’s slow. The man’s a genetic anomaly and is highly regarded for both his pace and workrate.
Here’s a better way of looking at it… who do you think fans would rather the youngsters learn from in training and even on the pitch- N’golo Kante or Guido Rodriguez? Hell, who do you think they’d rather see on the bench, never mind the pitch.
Why are we going for a 34 year old in Kante
Do we really need any more midfield players
I say it yet again it is defenders we need Sullivan not
cheap players very much past their prime
The way you are looking at signings we will have a load of past it players, what you will offer ridiculous money to come to us,and will then not be able to get rid of.
We have had this in one player and we have 2 or 3 at the club now mention no names which are just sitting tight and letting their contracts run down because no one will sign the on with their wage demands