Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are reportedly in negotiations to sign French midfielder N’Golo Kanté on a short-term loan from league rivals Al Ittihad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, according to transfer expert David Ornstein.

Though a deal has not been finalized, there is growing optimism that an agreement will be reached. Both clubs are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also controls Al Nassr and Al Ahli.

Al Hilal, the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, are Saudi Arabia’s sole representatives in the expanded Club World Cup. They will face Real Madrid on June 18, Red Bull Salzburg on June 22, and Pachuca on June 26.

Kanté, 34, joined Al Ittihad from Chelsea in 2023 and was instrumental in their league title win last season. The World Cup winner made 81 appearances for Al Ittihad after a successful seven-year stint at Chelsea, where he won multiple major trophies.

Al Hilal’s squad, managed by Simone Inzaghi, includes stars like Rúben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Kalidou Koulibaly.