N'Golo Kante to unite with Paul Pogba? Monaco among two Ligue 1 clubs in talks with ex-Chelsea star as Al-Ittihad exit nears

Former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder Kante could be set for a shock return to French football after being offered to Ligue 1 clubs Paris FC and Monaco, according to a report from L'Equipe. The 34-year-old is expected to depart Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, and neither of the French teams has ruled out a potential deal.

A move would see Kante return to Ligue 1 ten years after he left Caen. Both interested clubs are in the market for experienced midfielders. Newly-promoted Paris FC are seeking a leader in the middle of the park, while Monaco need cover following several departures and with new signing Paul Pogba not expected to be fit until October. Kante has proven his fitness since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023, making 44 appearances in his first season and 39 in the last campaign.

Kante was a notable omission from Didier Deschamps' latest France squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland. A move back to a major European league could bolster the 2018 World Cup winner's chances of an international recall.

With his Al-Ittihad career seemingly over, Kante's future now depends on the decisions of Paris and Monaco. The midfielder's representatives will await a final answer from the two clubs, with Kante potentially becoming the latest 2018 World Cup winner to move to Ligue 1 this summer.