Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has disapproved of a potential transfer for N’Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad to the Catalan club, Soccernet.football reports.
According to World Sports via FrenchFootballWeekly, Flick has blocked the move for the 33-year-old midfielder despite the interest from the club’s sporting director, Deco. Flick’s decision is rooted in his ambition to focus on young, homegrown players.
In the 2023/2024 season, Kante featured in 30 matches for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, scoring two goals and providing five assists.
Additionally, the former World Cup winner played six matches for the French national team during the Euro 2024 qualifiers and impressed as Le Bleus reached the quarterfinals of the tournament proper.
Kante’s contract with Al-Ittihad runs until June 2026, and his current market value is estimated at nine million euros, according to Transfermarkt.
This summer, Barcelona have been linked with numerous transfer targets amidst a manageable budget.
The club initially aimed to sign a midfield player, but this has not yet materialised. N’Golo Kante was believed to be a potential target, given his experience and affordability.
Yet, despite Kante’s undeniable talent, Flick has decided to rely on younger players like Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, who have impressed with their recent performances.
Although Kante hopes to return to European football after just one season in Saudi Arabia, it seems unlikely he will achieve this with Barcelona.