Karim Benzema, the striker for Al-Ittihad, has ruled out moving this month despite being linked to Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea. He was once a star for Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema has refuted rumours that he would sign with a Premier League team this month and leave Al-Ittihad.
The 36-year-old Real Madrid striker, who is legendary, left the Bernabeu in the summer to follow a number of well-known athletes who signed rich deals to play in the Saudi Pro League. However, there have been multiple stories that suggest Benzema is already considering a return to Europe.
Following his six-month stint with Al-Ettifaq, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson tore up his lucrative contract to join Ajax last week. Aymeric Laporte recently disclosed that there were “plenty of dissatisfied players” in the Gulf State.
In addition to being linked to teams like Manchester United and Arsenal, Karim Benzema has also been mentioned as returning to Lyon, his previous team. However, the veteran has now vehemently refuted these allegations via the French publication L’Equipe, declaring: “It’s totally untrue! The French media is at a loss for ideas these days. Bigger is preferable.
Manchester United will lose out on Benzema for a second time due to his unwillingness to consider a move outside of Saudi Arabia.
Legendary Sir Alex Ferguson of Old Trafford was a big fan of the striker; former United defender Rio Ferdinand revealed to BT Sport that Ferguson even attempted to persuade Benzema to move in the tunnel following a 2008 match against Lyon.
“After that game, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him,” he recalled. After the game, Sir Alex was talking to him in the tunnel, and I seem to recall that some of their officials arrived and escorted him out. He was wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson. As soon as I started playing the game, I noticed his movements. Beautiful footballer
Ferguson disclosed that United was hesitant to exceed its valuation for the striker, who later joined Ronaldo at Real Madrid, even though the team had plenty of money to spend at the time after selling Cristiano Ronaldo for a then-world record sum.
Shortly after Benzema departed Lyon, Ferguson remarked, “We tried to spend [the Ronaldo money] on Karim Benzema as, at 21, I felt that there would be an improvement there.”
Going a little bit above and above for him due to his age was worthwhile because he is tough, has a terrific body, and a decent goal-scoring record. However, at £42 million, it surpassed his worth. We reached £35 million, which I believe was appropriate.”
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