Karim Benzema, the renowned striker currently playing for Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad, has firmly denied recent claims suggesting he desires to leave the club. This development emerges amidst speculations of interest from Manchester United, following the arrival of Omar Berrada as the club’s CEO.
Despite reports from France indicating that Benzema felt “under pressure” at Al Ittihad and sought a move during the January transfer window, the player has rejected these rumors. Contrary to these claims, Benzema has expressed his commitment to Al Ittihad, where he has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances this season.
The 36-year-old French striker’s time at Al Ittihad has not been without its challenges. Reports surfaced that he missed the club’s training camp and three training sessions before the year’s end, fueling speculation about his contentment with the Jeddah-based team. Despite these difficulties, Benzema’s departure from Al Ittihad remains a topic of speculation rather than a confirmed decision.
Manchester United, currently experiencing a lackluster goalscoring season, has been linked with Benzema as a potential short-term solution to bolster their attacking line. Fichajes reported that United’s manager Erik ten Hag sees Benzema as a valuable addition to the team. However, talkSPORT has countered this claim, reporting that United does not plan to pursue Benzema this month.
Benzema’s former clubs, Real Madrid and Lyon, have also been mentioned in the context of his potential departure. Real Madrid, relying heavily on midfielder Jude Bellingham for goals, may see a temporary return of Benzema as a viable option. Meanwhile, Lyon has expressed interest in bringing Benzema back, although this would require a significant pay cut for the striker.
These developments around Benzema’s future come as the January transfer window provides opportunities for major shifts in club rosters. As one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League, Benzema’s next move, whether staying at Al Ittihad or venturing elsewhere, is a matter of keen interest in the football world.