Chelsea and Man Utd handed Karim Benzema blow as Al-Ittihad make transfer decision on unsettled star man

Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2024 by Goal.com

Karim Benzema will 'remain' at Al-Ittihad despite transfer links with Manchester United and Chelsea.

WHAT HAPPENED?
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports the 36-year-old will not be leaving the Saudi Pro League side this month. The report adds Lyon were exploring a move for their former striker in the January transfer window, just six months after the veteran, who was also linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, signed a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Benzema is staying put at the Saudi outfit, the former Real Madrid man, who left the Spanish side in 2023, is reportedly unsettled at his new team. Ornstein writes he left on holiday without permission earlier this month and reported back late. Despite scoring 12 goals in 20 games, the former French international faced criticism from fans over his performances and he appeared to delete his Instagram account, too. It could be a matter of time before the 2018 World Cup winner makes a move again this summer.

DID YOU KNOW?
Al-Ittihad won the Saudi Pro League in 2022/23 but sit seventh in the 18-team division, plus they lost their last three league games before the mid-season break. They are a whopping 25 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal after 18 games.

WHAT NEXT?
Benzema's Al-Ittihad return to action on February 4 away to Al-Faisaly in the quarter finals of the King Cup of Champions, before resuming their league campaign three days later at Al-Tai in a game between seventh and 16th in the table.