Karim Benzema to Manchester United? Top European clubs reportedly want a Frenchman

With Real Madrid and Manchester United apparently eyeing a loan deal for the Frenchman for the remainder of the season, Karim Benzema is expected to return to European football.

Benzema joined Al-Itiihad last summer, capping up a stellar career with Real Madrid. His relationship with the Saudi Pro League team is thought to have gone bad after a 5-2 defeat to Al-Nassr in December last year.

Because a sizable portion of the Al-Ittihad supporters held him responsible for the loss, Benzema was forced to delete his social media accounts. The 36-year-old, who joined Al-Ittihad in July 2023, has already scored 15 goals for the Saudi team.

Benzema allegedly departed Jeddah without telling the club’s management after the match against Al-Nassr, according to an earlier story in the Saudi media. According to reports, he was absent from many training sessions last week.

According to Marca, Benzema’s actions have infuriated Marcelo Gallardo, the manager of Al-Itihad, to the point that he has cut him from the team for this month’s midseason trip to Dubai.

Fichajes said that Benzema is determined to depart Saudi Arabia this month.

In addition to Real Madrid and Manchester United, Benzema’s previous team, Lyon, is considering loaning him back.

Seven-time French champion Lyon has had a run of subpar performances this season, and astonishingly, they are now a relegation danger. With 16 points, they are now just one point above of Clermont Foot and Lorient in the Ligue 1 rankings.

During his last four-season stay with Lyon, Benzema made 148 appearances across all competitions, scoring 66 goals and supplying 27 assists.

He played with Real Madrid for up to 14 seasons, during which time he scored 354 goals in all competitions.

Rasmus Hojlund was signed by Manchester United from Atalanta last year. The 20-year-old attacker has not lived up to the expectations.

In 25 appearances in all competitions after moving his base to Old Trafford, Hojlund has scored seven goals.

The Erik Ten Hag-coached team, now seventh in the Premier League, would surely benefit offensively if Manchester United is able to arrange a loan agreement for Benzema.