Who is Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is a football player who used to play for Real Madrid, a famous club in Europe.
Where is he now
He moved to a club in Saudi Arabia called Al Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
What’s the latest news about him
There are rumors that he might leave Al Ittihad and return to Europe.
Why might he leave Al Ittihad
One reason could be his salary, which is really high (€100 million per year). The club management wants him to stay in the Saudi Pro League, but he might have to take a pay cut if he returns to Europe.
What’s the current situation
It’s not clear what will happen. More meetings are planned to discuss his future. The talks are described as tense.
Any specific clubs interested
There are rumors that big English clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are interested, but they have limited time because the January transfer window is closing soon.
Any issues with his return to Al Ittihad
Yes, he was reportedly late in returning to Al Ittihad after a break, and this might be a factor in the ongoing discussions.
His role in Al Ittihad and recent performances
Benzema is the captain of Al Ittihad and has played well. In the FIFA Club World Cup matches in December 2023, he scored in both games, although the team didn’t win the trophy. In the league, he has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 15 games.