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Kante helped France win the 2018 World Cup Fenerbahce claim Al-Ittihad are to blame for the collapse of their deal to sign France midfielder N'Golo Kante. The Turkish club said, external they had fulfilled their part of the transfer and, in a deal that involved Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri moving in the opposite direction, agreements had "been reached with the players". Fenerbahce added that "the medical examinations of the player" had been completed and they had met their "obligations completely and on time". "However, due to the opposing club's incorrect entry of the relevant Transfer Matching System information, the transactions could not be completed within the transfer registration period, independently of our club, " they continued. Fenerbahce said they asked for an extension to complete the deal and held talks with Fifa as "all steps were taken to resolve the issue". "Despite this, the opposing club has not completed the transactions without providing any justification to us, " added Fenerbahce. "As a result of these developments, the transfer process unfortunately could not be finalised. " BBC Sport has asked Al-Ittihad for a response. France striker Karim Benzema left Al-Ittihad to join to rival Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, external on Tuesday and it appeared En-Nesyri could have been his replacement. Kante, 34, joined Al-Ittihad from Chelsea in 2023 having won the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup with the Blues. He also helped Leicester City win the Premier League in the 2015-16 season. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Sri Lanka chasing 129 against England in third T20 Vonn has ruptured ACL but will compete at Olympics Infantino 'infantile' for wanting to lift Russia ban Watch every gripping episode of The Night Manager Graham Norton discusses being invited to Taylor Swift's wedding Four women join forces to expose a dangerous predator Olympian Keely Hodgkinson on the mindset behind her success What impact might 'unprecedented' Six Nations schedule have? Get to know the Team GB Winter Olympics squad 'Don't be afraid of being different, it's your superpower' In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Is the Australian Open still the 'Happy Slam'? Just seven signings - the Premier League's quiet deadline day 'Strong and smart' - Liverpool's £60m man, who can 'become like Van Dijk' What's happening and when at the Winter Olympics? All the done deals on deadline day in one place Will Seahawks stop Patriots' record bid? Lowdown on Super Bowl 2026 Six Nations preview & BBC pundit predictions 'Complacent and lost control' - Man City's second-half problem 'If Arsenal don't win title now the blame will be entirely their own' Happy tennis, serious name - how history-maker Alcaraz clinched career Slam What's gone wrong for Chelsea in WSL and is Bompastor still right coach? Why 2026 could be GB's most successful Winter Olympics The most powerful woman in football - meet game's first female super agent Nine siblings and a dog called Zoomer - Wirtz in his own words Barcelona 'shakedown' offers first hints of F1 2026 The NFL's 'Queen's Gambit' who helped create $1. 5bn worth of talent Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.