Shocking news for English teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, it seems that Karim Benzema, who was once with Real Madrid but is currently at Al Ittihad, will not be leaving the Saudi club during the summer transfer window.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Benzema will not leave the Saudi Pro League giants before the transfer market ends tonight. The former Real Madrid striker agreed to a three-year contract with Saqir Jeddah last summer.
Benzema left Real Madrid during the summer transfer window of 2023 to sign a free transfer to Al Ittihad. With a rumoured wage of €100 million, he signed a lucrative three-year contract with them, making him one of the biggest summer signings for the Saudi League.
Benzema’s situation gained attention following recent reports that the Frenchman was unhappy with his time in Saudi Arabia. He was missing from the team’s duties during the recent Saudi Arabian mid-season break, going on holiday without permission and returning late to the club, all of which led to the perception that Benzema was unhappy with his team.
Lyon, Benzema’s old club, were reportedly in talks to bring the striker back home. But nothing seems to have percolated.
Benzema seems to have ruined United and Lyon’s plans of sighing the fact that both clubs have shown interest in signing him. Instead, he has stated that he is happy in Saudi and that the rumours about his potential exit are false.
Benzema said to L’Equipe last week, “It’s completely false! The French media don’t know what to invent any more. The bigger the better.”