Karim Benzema closing on Saudi exit after Man Utd opened door for transfer
Karim Benzema is closing in on a move to Lyon after Manchester United ruled themselves out of signing the Frenchman.
Benzema surprisingly left Real Madrid last summer to move to the Saudi Pro League, but has endured a miserable time in the Middle East. Though he has scored 12 goals for Al-Ittihad, Benzema has been frequently criticised for his performances.
Ittihad in general are struggling, with the reigning champions putting up a dreadful defence of their title, currently sitting seventh in the table. Just six months after arriving at The Nation's Club, Benzema is now attempting to engineer an exit.
One of the clubs who had been linked with a move for the superstar was United, but Mirror Football reported last week that the Red Devils have ruled themselves out of such a deal.
His age and £86million-per-year wages have put off United chiefs from pursuing the five-time Champions League winner. While the Red Devils are keen to sign a striker, they do not see Benzema as a viable option.
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With United pulling out, that has handed a green light to Lyon to attempt to bring Benzema back to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. The striker won four Ligue 1 titles with the French giants after breaking into their first-team in 2004.
The 36-year-old secured a blockbuster move to Real Madrid thanks to his performances with the French side. And he looks set to be offered the chance to return, with The Athletic reporting that Lyon are exploring a deal to bring him back to the club.
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Benzema has endured a wretched six months in Saudi Arabia (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Ittihad are yet to receive any offers for Benzema, while the striker is yet to officially inform club chiefs that he wants to leave. But manager Marcelo Gallardo has made it clear he is not welcome at the Saudi side after a falling out.
There are meetings planned in an attempt to clear the air, with Ittihad returning to action from the winter break on 4 February. Benzema was arguably the biggest deal a Saudi side completed in last summer's crazy window.
He signed a three-year contract with Ittihad, but is keen to cut that short following his nightmare time. While Lyon hope to bring him back to his boyhood club, completing a move may be difficult.
The French side have endured a turbulent time financially, with issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of the Mediapro television deal. That has hampered their ability to recruit, with key players continuing to be sold.
They did undergo a takeover at the end of 2022, with Eagle Football, created by American John Textor, buying the club from long-term owner Jean-Michel Aulas. But things have not been steady, with Lyon sacking two managers already this season.
They are now under the management of Pierre Sage after firing Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso, sitting 16th in Ligue 1. That means they occupy the relegation play-off spot, with their position not seen as being attractive to Benzema.
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