Real Madrid: Benzema says yes to Saudi offer

Karim Benzema is heading for Saudi Arabia. Earlier this evening, Madrid daily AS revealed that Real Madrid's number 9 was closing in on reigning champions Al-Ittihad, and had been in talks with former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to find out more about the Saudi league and life in Saudi Arabia.

📸 Benzema et son ancien agent Karim Djaziri, aperçus à la sortie de Valdebebas aujourd'hui. pic.twitter.com/TD4oU3cxMu

— Real France (@realfrance_fr) May 31, 2023

FootMercato goes further this Wednesday evening, reporting that Karim Benzema has decided to accept the juicy Saudi offer, <a href=/news/real-madrid-benzema-in-saudi-arabia-answer-imminent> estimated at 100 million net per year (over two years). According to FM, KB9 has informed Real Madrid of his decision in the last few hours.

Real Madrid still believe, but...

Other sources, such as Fabrizio Romano and RMC Sport, are a little more cautious and explain that the Frenchman's decision is imminent, but has not yet been taken. In any case, everyone agrees that Benzema is very tempted by the Saudi offer, which is very real.

🚨EXCL: 🟡⚫️ 🇫🇷 SPL |

◉ Karim Benzema a annoncé au Real Madrid son envie de rejoindre Al-Ittihad Club 🇸🇦.

◉ Même si au sein de la Casa Blanca, on ne désespère pas de le convaincre de rester une saison de plus… mais les chances sont minceshttps://t.co/rEHfDSbqMz pic.twitter.com/TZWFGUpLqv

— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 31, 2023

According to FootMercato, Real Madrid have not given up hope of convincing Benzema to stay on for another season and honour his contract, which runs until 2024. Indeed, Real Madrid had planned to recruit a top-class striker in a year's time, but not this summer.

Other Spanish sources have also explained since yesterday that Real Madrid will not oppose Benzema's departure if he asks to leave. Which, according to FM, he would have done...