Coming from Fabrizio Romano this morning Karim Benzema has joined Premier League giants this morning and he is currently onboard to join this Club.
Manchester United and Arsenal have again been linked with offers for famous striker Karim Benzema, but the Frenchman has denied claims that he wants to leave Al Ittihad.
Benzema joined Al Ittihad from 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, signing a three-year contract for £172 million per year, but sources suggest he is unhappy in Saudi Arabia.
90min recently disclosed that any exit from the Middle East would be difficult, even if the 36-year-old wanted to leave. Benzema was regarded as the poster boy signing for the Saudi Pro League, leading an exodus of a number of high-profile European players, and any potential departure would have to be approved by not only Al Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo and sporting director Roman Planes, but also Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport.
Benzema has not indicated to Al Ittihad that he is unhappy and looking for a way out, 90min understands, but that hasn’t prevented the rumour mill from spinning since he returned to training late from a trip in Mauritius.
On Tuesday, reports in France suggested that Benzema had wanted a ‘temporary’ exit from Al Ittihad, while major Spanish daily Marca reported that a meeting with the club’s administration was scheduled after Manchester United and Arsenal indicated interest in signing him.
Former club Lyon are also rumoured to be interested in Benzema, who scored 354 goals in 14 trophy-laden years at Real Madrid, but it’s a potential move to the Premier League that has piqued the interest of those eager to see the Frenchman play in England.
Benzema has now moved to dispel rumours of a possible exit, telling L’Equipe: “It’s entirely false! The French media is at a loss for new ideas. “Bigger is better.”
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema won it all for Real Madrid / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Benzema’s exorbitant salary would complicate matters even more – Jordan Henderson ended up terminating his contract at Al Ettifaq in order to join Ajax – but he would surely help the Premier League duo as they look to improve their goal-scoring capabilities.
United are suffering in the Premier League, ranking ninth after losing nine of their 21 games and scoring only 24 goals. Rasmus Hojlund has impressed in brief appearances, while Marcus Rashford has struggled, and Anthony Martial has been non-existent in terms of goalscoring.
Arsenal, meanwhile, is clinging to its Premier League title hopes, although they, too, have struggled to score goals. Saturday’s 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace defied the trend, ending back-to-back defeats to West Ham United and Fulham, but Gabriel Jesus has only three goals in the competition, while Bukayo Saka leads the Gunners with six.
Benzema has nine goals and five assists in 15 games for Al Ittihad, but the team is significantly behind the leaders in the Saudi Pro League title battle. Al Hilal are undefeated at the top of the league, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and 25 points clear of Al Ittihad.
