Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema has just dealt Arsenal and Chelsea a huge blow amid their interest in a transfer after slamming ‘completely false’ reports he wants to leave.
The 36-year-old only moved to Saudi Arabia last July after ending his trophy-laden 14-year stint at Real Madrid. He is also the captain of Al-Ittihad and has scored 12 goals in 20 outings across all competitions. But reports have suggested that Benzema wants to leave in January.
According to Marca, Benzema has asked to leave Al-Ittihad on loan to return to Europe, with Arsenal, Lyon and Manchester United interested. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was also due to speak with the Pro League side on Wednesday to resolve his situation after returning late.
Arsenal have shown an interest in the transfer of Karim Benzema
Marca added that Benzema knows any return to Europe would see him forfeit a vast part of his lucrative salary. But the ‘abysmal’ wage in comparison to his £200m-a-year (£3.8m-a/w) pay is not the main obstacle. Instead, Arsenal et al faced more issues with Al-Ittihad’s view.
Al-Ittihad signed Benzema to be the figurehead of the Saudi side – even beyond sport. They also cannot understand why the five-time Champions League winner may be trying to leave so soon after joining. So, the Jeddah natives have shown zero desire to negotiate a transfer.
Reports by the Evening Standard had also noted that Arsenal and Chelsea were on alert for Benzema’s transfer in January. It even suggested that the 97-cap France striker was open to leaving Al-Ittihad on loan. Benzema further felt that a switch to England would be possible.
Karim Benzema breaks silence on reports he wants to leave Al-Ittihad
But Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Lyon are unlikely to sign Benzema in January after the Al-Ittihad captain refuted all suggestions that he wants to leave Saudi Arabia. The ex-Gones star has hit out at the French media for suggesting that he has requested a move.
“It’s completely false!” Benzema vented, via L’Equipe. “The French media don’t know what to invent any more. The bigger, the better.”
With Arsenal operating with their backs to the wall to avoid a breach of FFP, a move to sign Benzema even on loan always seemed unlikely given his salary for Al-Ittihad. But any hopes Mikel Arteta may have retained about signing the Frenchman now seem dead in the water.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
