SUMMARY
- Karim Benzema moved to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 for a big-money move from Real Madrid.
- The French striker has scored 12 goals and five assists in 20 appearances for the Saudi club.
The winter transfer window is open and speculations are in full swing. Karim Benzema is the latest player whose name is being speculated in the British media, and the club is the usual target in these types of stories, Manchester United.
As per Javier Parra Pena and Caught Offside, Manchester United are exploring a possibility of signing Benzema on a six-month loan deal. The French striker moved to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 for a big-money move. However, the French striker is yet to settle down in Saudi Arabia with off-the-field struggles with former manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Santo was replaced by Marcelo Gallardo in November 2023 after a run of five winless matches in a row. The new appointment has not improved the situation for the French striker, who has been heavily criticized by national media for his off-the-field issues in Saudi Arabia.
[🌘] #mufc are exploring a 6-month loan deal for Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema. [@Javier_EPP, @caughtoffside] pic.twitter.com/akGkdUJZCK
— centredevils. (@centredevils) January 14, 2024
In England, Manchester United has been struggling under the second season of Erik ten Hag. The English club is already out of Europe and has been struggling in the Premier League. They are currently seventh in the table, eight points behind the top four places.
Their star summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has been off to a slow start in the league. Another forward, Anthony Martial, is speculated to exit in January. A loan deal for Benzema sounds like a short-term stopgap for Manchester United as they make a charge for top four places in the second half of the season.
Why did Karim Benzema reject Manchester United?
Even with the off-the-field issues, Benzema has been in form in Saudi Arabia. The French striker has scored 12 goals and five assists in 20 appearances for the Saudi club. It is highly unlikely that the Al-Ittihad will allow their prized possession to move away from the club on a loan deal. However, if the deal goes through, it will represent a long-term U-turn for the French striker.
Earlier reports from The Guardian revealed that Benzema rejected a move to Manchester United to move to Real Madrid. Back in the summer of 2009, Benzema was expected to move from Lyon to a powerhouse of Europe. Several clubs were interested in the striker.
🚨🥇| 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: Chelsea are considering a loan move for Roberto Firmino or Karim Benzema linked with Manchester United. [@Matt_Law_DT] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/luXEPONGLf
— UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) January 15, 2024
Benzema scored 66 goals and 27 assists in 148 appearances for the French club. The output made him one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe at the time. However, Real Madrid presented a more enticing project to Benzema. The French striker joined in the same window when Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United.
Benzema talked about the move and stated: “There were quite a few clubs that contacted me, like Manchester [United], Inter and Barcelona, but I decided to come here. Real Madrid is an excellent club. I’ve dreamt about playing here since I was 15 years old. Florentino [Pérez] spoke to me about the team and the project that he wanted to create.”
The decision turned out to be the right one for the French striker. Benzema went on to spend 14 years at the club. He won numerous titles with the Spanish club, including five UCL titles as well as a Ballon d’Or award in 2022.
