Karim Benzema is negotiating to rejoin Lyon to shorten his stint at Al-Ittihad – Saudi Pro League Karim Benzema is negotiating to rejoin Lyon to shorten his stint at Al-Ittihad – Saudi Pro League
Karim Benzema is negotiating to rejoin Lyon to shorten his stint at Al-Ittihad – Saudi Pro League

January 22, 2024

Karim Benzema is negotiating to rejoin Lyon to shorten his stint at Al-Ittihad – Saudi Pro League

Karim Benzema, who might become the most well-known player to quit the Saudi Pro League this month, is trying to get back together with Lyon.

There have been discussions about a deal allowing the striker to rejoin his childhood team, but pulling it off will take more work. Benzema, who started his career in Lyon’s academy, signed a three-year contract to join Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid last summer. However, his financial situation may make a return to Europe difficult.

The 36-year-old was among the elite group of players who relocated to Saudi Arabia from Europe last year. He won five Champions Leagues after joining Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009. Al-Ittihad is one of four teams under the jurisdiction of the nation’s Public Investment Fund. Lucrative contracts were awarded to many well-known players who headed to Saudi clubs.

Last week, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson left Al-Ettifaq despite financial offers from the Middle East. Henderson is now a part of Ajax. Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has expressed dissatisfaction with life in the Saudi league. Still, Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr has praised it.

Benzema’s predicament came to light when he delayed his return to the team after taking an unauthorized vacation last week. Al-Ittihad is holding talks with the former France international forward in order to resolve any outstanding issues, as they have yet to receive an offer for him. 

Benzema has made 20 appearances this season and scored 12 goals but has received criticism for his play. Al-Ittihad is currently seventh in the league, 25 points behind the leaders. Last season, they were the winners.

It remains to be seen if Lyon can convince Benzema to return to France. Between 2005 and 2008, the forward won four straight league titles with them. However, they are 16th in Ligue 1, the relegation playoff spot, and have had financial issues. The team, which is owned by Eagle Football, a conglomerate of sports teams founded by American entrepreneur John Textor, is currently in its third manager of the year. With the dismissals of Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso, Pierre Sage is now in command.

Al-Shabab is watching Miguel Almirón as Newcastle’s transfer problems mount.

Al-Shabab of the Saudi Pro League is interested in Newcastle’s Miguel Almirón. Should the Riyadh club offer Newcastle’s £30 million asking price for the player—who turns 30 next month—their majority of the Saudi owners will be left in a difficult situation.

Newcastle may find it financially advantageous to sell Almirón to make space for new player acquisitions while still adhering to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR). However, losing the winger would only make sense if a worthy replacement was lined up, given Eddie Howe’s thin squad’s crippling injury list.

The same is true for Callum Wilson, Howe’s England striker, who turns 32 next month and briefly attracted interest from Milan and Atletico Madrid this month. Things are a little different with Kieran Trippier because Newcastle also has an excellent right-back in Tino Livramento.

While waiting for Bayern Munich’s transportation proposal to Bavaria, Trippier worked out with Newcastle on Monday. If Trippier decides to stay in Tyneside, he is not anticipated to cause any issues, even though the England right-back is reportedly eager to join Thomas Tuchel’s team and rejoin Harry Kane and Eric Dier, his former Tottenham teammates.

Trippier’s circumstances are slightly different because Newcastle already has Tino Livramento, another excellent right-back. Although Tuchel has expressed his admiration for the full-back, it is unclear if Bayern will make Newcastle an offer to convince them to let go of a player who cost them £12 million two years ago and is paid roughly £120,000 a week.

Although Newcastle could avoid PSR by selling Almirón to a Saudi club, Premier League rivals might object, as nothing in the rules prevents this from happening. Six-time Saudi champions Al-Shabab are not owned by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns eighty percent of the Tyneside club. 

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author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.