RIYADH – Karim Benzema wants to leave his Saudi Arabian side after a bust-up with Al-Ittihad management, a source close to the club told AFP on Jan 23.
The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker held a “raging” meeting with the club and their Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo on Jan 19, the source added.
Benzema, who is the club captain, had reportedly told his coach and club management that “he doesn’t feel he is able to give his best because of the current pressure at Ittihad”.
“Benzema asked to leave Ittihad temporarily to change the atmosphere.”
Al-Ittihad offered to loan the French striker to another Saudi Pro League club but he has refused, the source also said.
Contacted by AFP, Benzema’s entourage declined to comment.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, who was one of the highest-profile signings of the Saudi league in 2023 and is reportedly being paid €100 million (S$146 million) a season, returned to the club 17 days late after their mid-season break.
He has since been training alone in Jeddah, according to the source, not allowed for “discipline reasons” to rejoin his teammates, who are at a training camp in Dubai.
Reports in England say English Premier League side Chelsea would be keen to take Benzema on loan in the current transfer window.
His former club in France, Lyon, cannot afford his wages, according to their spokesman.
He said a possible loan deal for Benzema “had never been studied or considered”, adding: “It is not at all within Lyon’s financial means.”
A source close to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al-Ittihad and three other Saudi clubs – Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli, said anyway that “there is no option that Benzema leaves this month”.
The striker has scored nine goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, but is well behind his former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 20 times for Al-Nassr.
Al-Ittihad are seventh in the division after three successive defeats.
They have scored the fewest goals and conceded the most of the four teams owned by the PIF. The league is due to resume on Feb 7.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr have cancelled their two-game China tour after Ronaldo suffered an injury, sparking concern over the Portuguese striker’s participation in their upcoming encounter against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
Al-Nassr were scheduled to play Shanghai Shenhua on Jan 24 and Zhejiang four days later, with both games now called off.
Following their now-cancelled China tour, the team will next face Messi and his Miami side in a friendly match in Riyadh on Feb 1, but the status of their biggest star remains to be seen. AFP, REUTERS
