In two days, Sérgio Conceição lost two French figures. Al Ittihad made N’Golo Kanté’s departure official, hours after the midfielder refused to train, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The French midfielder did not intend to continue playing for the Saudi title champions and, according to L’Équipe, refused to wear the club’s shirt while awaiting a FIFA decision on a possible move to Fenerbahçe. The Turkish club, in a statement, announced that the 2018 world champion’s transfer to France had not materialized due to failures in the submission of documentation by Al Ittihad.
The transfer was authorized by FIFA and Kanté left Al Ittihad, two and a half seasons later. On the other hand, the defending Saudi champion managed to finalize the signing of Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Moroccan striker who represented Fenerbahçe was officially signed as a reinforcement for Al Ittihad. Sérgio Conceição’s club announced the arrival of Karim Benzema’s replacement, who joined Al Hilal on Monday.
Al Ittihad compensated for the French international’s departure with the signings of the striker who scored eight goals in 27 games for Fenerbahçe this season and George Ilenikhena from Monaco.
Both could make their debut against Al Nassr on Friday.
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