Karim Benzema, the seasoned French striker, is poised to make a comeback to European football as reports suggest that football powerhouses Real Madrid and Manchester United are contemplating a loan deal for the 36-year-old for the remainder of the season.
Benzema left Real Madrid last summer to join Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League but is now facing a strained relationship with the club after a 5-2 loss to Al-Nassr in December, prompting his potential departure.
The fallout intensified as a significant portion of Al-Ittihad’s fan base blamed Benzema for the defeat, leading him to deactivate his social media accounts.
His departure from Jeddah without informing club officials and reportedly skipping training sessions have not endeared him to Al-Ittihad boss Marcelo Gallardo, who excluded Benzema from the squad’s mid-season trip to Dubai.
While Real Madrid and Manchester United vie for the veteran striker, his former club Lyon has also entered the fray. Lyon, currently facing an unexpected relegation threat in Ligue 1, sees Benzema as a potential solution to their scoring woes. Benzema, who had an impressive four-season spell with Lyon, could provide the much-needed firepower for the struggling side.
Amidst these developments, Chelsea are actively exploring striker options in the January transfer window. The Telegraph reports that both Karim Benzema and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino are on Chelsea’s radar, with Mauricio Pochettino keen on bolstering his team’s goal-scoring capabilities.
As Benzema’s potential return to European football gains momentum, the football world awaits the resolution of this intriguing transfer saga.