N'Golo Kante to leave Karim Benzema? France star in talks to depart Saudi Pro League champions for arch rivals

The Athletic states that fellow Saudi side Al-Hilal are in talks with Kante over securing a short loan deal for this summer's Club World Cup. The report adds that an agreement has not yet been reached but there is optimism a deal can be struck for the midfielder, whose contract at Al-Ittihad runs until 2026.

Al-Ittihad pipped Al-Hilal to the Saudi Pro League title this season but the latter will go to this summer's Club World Cup as they qualified as the winners of the 2021 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. If Kante, 34, did join on loan, he would likely be back at Al-Ittihad for the 2025/26 campaign.

France international Kante joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2023, and since then he has played 81 times for them - while winning the league title and King's Cup along the way.

If Kante does join Al-Hilal, he won't have long to get bedded in as they begin their Club World Cup campaign against Real Madrid on June 18, before facing Red Bull Salzburg and Pachuca on June 22 and 26, respectively.