West Ham 'explore' shock deal for former Chelsea man, Man Utd fail to hijack Aston Villa bid for Everton star

West Ham United are reportedly ‘exploring a deal’ to sign former Leicester City and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.

The two-time Premier League winner left Chelsea last summer to join Saudi Arabia Pro League club Al-Ittihad and went on to make 46 appearances in all competitions alongside the likes of Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema and former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho. Despite concerns moving to the Gulf State would hamper Kante’s chances of securing a place in France’s Euro 2024 Finals squad, the midfielder was a key figure for Les Bleus throughout the tournament, starting all six of their games, including their 2-1 semi-final defeat against eventual winners Spain.

Kante remains under contract with Al-Ittihad until the summer of 2026 - but the Daily Telegraph have reported West Ham are keen to bring the midfielder back to the Premier League and revealed their interest is ‘at an early stage’. There are no suggestions over what level of fee would be required to persuade Al-Ittihad to authorise a deal or if the Saudi club are willing to even consider a deal. The move for the all-action midfielder is part of an ambitious transfer plan at the London Stadium as West Ham prepare for their first season under new manager Julen Lopetegui.

The Hammers have already spent around £60million to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers captain and reported Newcastle United target Max Kilman and Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme. Lopetegui is also said to be keen on moves for Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson and Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

Red Devils aimed to ‘hijack’ Aston Villa move

Reports in Belgium have claimed Manchester United made an unsuccessful effort to hijack a move for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, who is said to be closing in on a move to Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

The 22-year-old joined the Toffees in a £30million move from French club Lille during the summer of 2022 and has gone on to make over 70 appearances for the Goodison Park club. Onana has also established himself in the senior Belgium squad in recent years and played in all four of their underwhelming Euro 2024 Finals campaign that came to a close with a 1-0 defeat in a round-of-16 tie with France.

The midfielder is said to be set to undergo a medical at Villa on Sunday after they agreed a £50m deal with Everton last week and there have been suggestions to move could be finalised as soon as Monday. However, a report from Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad has claimed the Red Devils wanted to ‘hijack’ the move but were rejected by Onana, who is said to be keen to play in the Champions League and will pen a five-year deal at Villa Park ahead of their return to European football’s top table during the coming season.

Villa have already been active in the summer transfer window after concluding deals for midfield duo Ross Barkley and Enzo Barrenchea, wingers Samuel Ilang-Junior, Lewis Dobbin and Jaden Philogene, striker Cameron Archer and left-back Ian Maatsen.