West Ham sent Fabrizio Romano update in £20m swoop for 'brilliant' ex Premier League winner

West Ham are in the pursuit of midfield reinforcements this summer and are hoping to turn to former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante to add bite in the centre of the park ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

The Guardian reports that negotiations are ongoing between the Hammers and the midfielder's current club, Al-Ittihad. It had initially been expected that the two outfits would come to an agreement with both 'willing' to make a transfer for the 33-year-old happen, however transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now cast doubt on that.

Taking to social media platform X on Friday, Romano wrote: “West Ham have approached Al Ittihad to ask about N'Golo Kanté as top target, as @Will_Unwin reported.

“Direct talks took place between clubs and with player's camp. Al Ittihad current position: no intention to sell Kanté, considered as key player and top professional.”

Kante, who was part of the France squad involved at Euro 2024 this summer and still hailed as ‘brilliant’ in Germany by Gary Neville, moved to Saudi Arabia last summer having spent seven years with Chelsea. The player won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 and claimed the title again with the Blues in 2017 - he also has a Champions League winner's medal, Europa League win and four FA Cup trophies to his name.

It is thought that the Al-Ittihad player is happy with his current club and life in Saudi Arabia but is 'open' to returning to London. West Ham would have to fork out £20 million for Kante's services.

Having already spent £40 million to bring Wolves defender Max Kilman to the London Stadium for a Julen Lopetegui reunion, it had been thought that West Ham would now prioritise an attacking signing. There are question marks over the future of Lucas Paqueta with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus both linked with sensational bids to lure them away from London.

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Lopetegui has also spent £25 million on rising Brazilian talent Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras. However, at just 18 years old, the winger is perhaps an investment for the future.

Manchester United man Scott McTominay had also emerged as a potential target with the club known to be admirers of the Scotland international thanks to David Moyes. Fulham also hold an interest in the Red Devils star with a bid already sent this summer.