Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is poised to join Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad on a lucrative two-year deal, 90min understands.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and has been in lengthy talks over an extension. There had been confidence in west London that Kante would ink fresh terms and prolong his stay at the club, despite interest from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

But 90min reported on Friday that Kante, who has struggled with numerous injury problems and was restricted to just seven Premier League appearances last season, had received an approach from the Middle East and was prepared to engage in talks to see what was on offer in Saudi Arabia.

A meeting is understood to have taken place in London between Kante's representatives and a PIF delegation from Saudi Arabia, with an agreement now close on a blockbuster two-year contract that will see the Frenchman earn slightly less than his international teammate Benzema, who joined Al Ittihad on a three-year deal on Tuesday.