In a gut-punch for English clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, recent reports state the ex-Real Madrid and now-Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema is not leaving the Saudi side in this summer window.
Benzema joined Al Ittihad on a free transfer in the 2023 summer transfer window from Real Madrid. He signed a bumper three-year contract with them with wages reported to be €100 million per year, and made for one of the biggest singings of the summer for the Saudi League, who were on a hunt to make their mark on world football.
Benzema’s situation caught the eye after recent reports of the Frenchman being displeased with his tenure in Saudi.
He was absent from team duties over the recent Saudi Arabian mid-season break, leaving on holiday without permission before reporting late back to the team, all actions adding to the lore that Benzema was dissatisfied with his side.
Benzema’s former club Lyon were reportedly in talks to bring the striker back home. But nothing seemed to have percolated.
Though United and Lyon have both made their interest known, Benzema appears to have dashed their hopes of signing him. He has instead insisted that he is happy in Saudi, claiming that the reports of a potential departure are false.
Benzema told L’Equipe last week: “It’s completely false! The French media don’t know what to invent any more. The bigger the better.”
The 36-year-old, who won five Champions Leagues after joining Madrid from Lyon in 2009, was part o f the wave of top talent that moved from Europe to Saudi Arabia last year. Al-Ittihad are one of four clubs controlled by the country’s Public Investment Fund. Many big names that headed to Saudi clubs were handed lucrative contracts.
Al-Ittihad have not received an offer for the former France international forward and are planning talks with him to clear the air.
According to AFP, a source close to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al-Ittihad and three other Saudi clubs, has also been reported as stating “there is no option that Benzema leaves this month”.
Benzema has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances this season but has been criticised for his performances and Al-Ittihad are seventh in the league, 25 points off the top. They won the title last season.
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