Former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders has made a stunning transfer recommendation for Manchester City, urging the club to bring former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kanté back to the Premier League.
The Title Race Heats Up
The call comes as the battle for the Premier League crown intensifies. Manchester City moved temporarily top of the table on Saturday, December 28th, 2025, after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, marking their sixth consecutive league win. However, Arsenal regained their two-point advantage by the weekend's end with a 2-1 home win against Brighton.
This sets the stage for what many believe will be a third head-to-head title fight between the two clubs in four seasons, despite Aston Villa's impressive form. City, after a disappointing title defence last campaign, have been rejuvenated by significant investment, including the signings of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Tijjani Reijnders, and the creative boost from Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.
Saunders' Surprise Midfield Solution
While City are strongly linked with a £65 million move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, Saunders believes midfield reinforcement is the key to overcoming Arsenal. Speaking to talkSPORT, the Welsh pundit identified 34-year-old N'Golo Kanté as the ideal candidate.
"This could be the signing of the season," Saunders declared. "This is a big statement. I think Kanté is available." The French World Cup winner is in his third season with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and has just six months remaining on the lucrative contract he signed after leaving Chelsea in 2023.
Saunders argued that Kanté's skillset remains perfectly suited to the highest level. "He could play for any team in the world. That position he plays in, defensive midfield, thinks like a defender, covers the ground. What is he, 34? He should be still flying around the pitch, he wouldn't have lost his pace yet. Great attitude," he said.
A Calculated Gamble for Guardiola?
Saunders suggested a short-term deal could mitigate any risk. "He could play in the middle of midfield for Man City. One-year contract, sign him for a year, just in case his legs have gone. But you don't have to run that much in that position." He lavished further praise, comparing Kanté to modern greats in the role: "I think he's probably the best since Claude Makelele, probably, playing in that position. And Rodri, obviously."
However, City manager Pep Guardiola has recently hinted that the club's January activity will be far quieter than the £170 million spree of 12 months ago. "I'm not a big, big, big, big fan for the (January) transfer window," Guardiola stated, explaining last year's spending was due to having "old players and no players." He added that while the club must "always be open," planning is generally better done at the season's end.
Whether City's hierarchy will heed Saunders' surprising advice and make a move for the experienced Kanté remains to be seen, as the January window approaches with the title race on a knife-edge.
