N’GOLO KANTE SKIPS TRAINING AS AL-ITTIHAD BLOCK HIS MOVE TO FENERBAHCE OFFICIALLY
N’Golo Kante has gone on strike at Al-Ittihad after a paperwork error blocked his move to Fenerbahce. Can he still sign by Friday?
N’Golo Kanté didn’t show up for Al-Ittihad training on Tuesday, and it’s not hard to see why. He was all set to head to Fenerbahçe, but the deal fell apart at the last minute—apparently because Al-Ittihad messed up some paperwork. Kante was supposed to fly to Istanbul and sign, but thanks to this administrative slip, he’s stuck in limbo. There’s still a shot at reviving the transfer sinceKanté Turkey’s transfer window stays open until Friday, February 6.
Kante was one of the first big European names to jump to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Ittihad in 2023 after seven years with Chelsea. He’s been a key player in Jeddah, helping Al-Ittihad win the 2024-25 league title and the King’s Cup.
Then, in the middle of the January window, word got out that Fenerbahce wanted him. The Turkish club were eager to add a World Cup winner to their squad. The plan was to swap Kante for Youssef En-Nesyri, who’d head to Saudi Arabia. Everything seemed set until deadline day, when news broke that an error by Al-Ittihad in the Transfer Matching System stopped the transfer cold.
Fenerbahce didn’t hold back. They blamed Al-Ittihad directly, saying they’d done everything right: agreements with the players, medicals, paperwork, all wrapped up on time. But Al-Ittihad entered something wrong in the system, and that was that. Fenerbahçe even asked for an extension and reached out to FIFA, but nothing moved. In the end, the deal died, and Fenerbahçe put out a statement saying they understood the frustration and would keep working to strengthen the squad.
Meanwhile, Kante’s making his feelings clear. According to Ben Jacobs, he skipped training on Tuesday, still hoping the move to Fenerbahce can happen. Santi Aouna says talks between the clubs aren’t dead yet. L’Equipe is reporting that Kanté doesn’t want to play for Al-Ittihad while he waits for FIFA’s decision. With the Turkish window open until Friday, there’s still a glimmer of hope for Kante, though En-Nesyri’s move is off the table for now.
DIEGO SIMEONE’S ATLéTICO FUTURE IN DOUBT AFTER TENSE MATEU ALEMANY FALLOUT
Diego Simeone’s future at Atlético Madrid is uncertain as tension grows with Mateu Alemany, and Inter Milan rumours gain momentum.
Spanish media is swirling with talk that Diego Simeone might be on his way out at Atletico Madrid. Hard to believe, right? This guy took over back in December 2011, turned the club into a real force, and even managed to win La Liga twice—beating out giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But here we are. Apparently, Atletico are weighing up Simeone's future. Sport says things have gotten tense between him and Mateu Alemany, the club’s new Director of Football. Simeone’s contract runs until 2027, but that relationship seems rocky. Atletico sit third in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by ten points. They just lost to Bodo/Glimt in the last Champions League group match and now have to fight through a play-off to reach the knockouts. Recent results have been rough, and transfer disagreements are piling up. It’s starting to feel like Simeone’s once-untouchable job is suddenly at risk.
There’s also the money. Simeone is one of the highest-paid managers in the game—€13 million a year. Only a few names earn more: Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and, believe it or not, David Moyes at Everton. If Simeone walks away after this season, replacing someone with his status won't be easy.
Meanwhile, Alemany isn’t waiting around. He’s already looking at possible successors and has his eye on Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. The catch? Iraola seems happy in the Premier League, but who knows—if Atletico come calling after all these years under Simeone, maybe he listens.
Looking back, you can’t overstate what Simeone’s done for Atletico. He’s delivered two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa de España. Add to that two UEFA Super Cups and two trips to the Champions League final. Four times, he’s been named La Liga Manager of the Year. That’s a legacy.
Still, Simeone’s never hidden his dream of coaching Inter. He played there from 1997 to 1999, and you can tell the place means something to him. “It doesn’t just depend on me, but I can see myself managing Inter one day. I think it’ll happen,” he said. He’s a huge admirer of their squad and their style, especially after recent games against Milan. “They play with personality and have a clear idea of how to attack. They deserved more. In the Champions League, the numbers speak for themselves. Two finals—they’re one of the favourites,” he added.
So, maybe we’re watching the end of an era at Atletico. Or maybe Simeone finds a way, like he always has. Either way, it’s hard to imagine the club without him.
MARC-ANDRé TER STEGEN TO UNDERGO SURGERY FOLLOWING SERIOUS GIRONA INJURY
Marc-André ter Stegen faces surgery and a long recovery after a serious injury at Girona, putting his 2026 World Cup spot in doubt.
FC Barcelona made headlines this winter when Marc-André ter Stegen, their German goalkeeper, left for Girona. He wanted more minutes on the pitch and had his sights set on making Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. That was the plan, anyway.
But things went sideways fast. In just his second game for Girona under Míchel, Ter Stegen picked up a serious injury. Now he needs surgery, and he’ll be out for months.
After the news broke, Ter Stegen didn’t keep quiet. He posted a raw, honest message online, letting fans in on what he’s going through.
Here’s what he wrote:
Most of you don’t know me personally, so I want to open up a bit. I’ve always tried to stay positive—no matter what life throws at me. But this injury? It’s a tough one.
Last weekend, my worst fear happened. I got hurt during the match. I’d just arrived in Girona, and from day one, everyone here made me feel welcome. I was excited to help the team chase our goals, but now everything’s changed for me.
I won’t be out there on the field, but I’m not going anywhere. This group isn’t just a team—it’s like a family, and I’ve felt their support from the start.
As athletes, there’s nothing better than playing and training. Now I have to put that on hold for a while. I’ve decided to have surgery.
I’ll be back.
You can feel how much this stings for him. He’d just landed at Montilivi, already made his mark with the squad and fans, and now he’s sidelined. The timing couldn’t be worse, either. With such a long road to recovery, his World Cup dream is hanging by a thread. Even so, Ter Stegen’s message makes one thing clear—he’s not giving up. He’s determined to come back stronger, ready for football whenever it calls him again.