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Fenerbahçe Says Al‑Ittihad Error Killed N'Golo Kanté Swap as Saudi Window Closed

The Turkish club cites an incorrect FIFA Transfer Matching System entry that prevented timely registration.

Overview

  • The proposed exchange would have sent Kanté to Fenerbahçe with Youssef En‑Nesyri moving to Al‑Ittihad, but both moves fell through.
  • Fenerbahçe states it completed medicals, secured approvals, and uploaded all registration documents within the required period.
  • The club says it sought an extension and consulted FIFA, yet the transactions were not finalized before the deadline.
  • The Saudi transfer window had closed the previous day, while Türkiye’s window remains open until Feb. 6, complicating cross‑border timing.
  • Kanté remains with Al‑Ittihad; Al‑Ittihad has not publicly responded to the claims, and Karim Benzema has joined Al Hilal in a separate move.