Karim Benzema is keen to leave the Saudi Pro League after being excluded from Al-Ittihad’s winter training camp in Dubai.
The French forward has failed to settle in the Middle East since joining the Saudi side from Real Madrid in the summer.
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Benzema has scored 15 goals in 24 appearances for Al-Ittihad, but has been criticised with the team struggling in seventh place in the table. Al-Ittihad, who were crowned Pro League champions in 2022/23, have lost their last three league games, including a 5-2 thrashing at home to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on December 26.
According to Marca, Benzema has not turned up for the club’s training camp this month and has since been excluded by head coach Marcelo Gallardo from a tour of Dubai.
That news will alert European clubs, who could look to sign the 36-year-old this month. A number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, are considering centre-forward additions in the January transfer window and Benzema would provide an experienced option at number nine.
Benzema scored 31 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season, in his final campaign of a decorated career with the Spanish side.
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