Manchester United might be gearing up for a significant move during the transfer window by potentially rescuing Karim Benzema from his challenging situation in Saudi Arabia.
The esteemed Real Madrid player took a leap to the Saudi Pro League, signing with Al-Ittihad after his contract ended, aiming for a peaceful twilight to his career. However, this turned into a nightmarish situation due to Ittihad’s struggles and off-field chaos. Despite Marcelo Gallardo taking over as coach, Benzema seems to regret his decision to move to the Middle East.
According to former French international Jean-Michel Larqué, Benzema seems to rue his choice, stating, “Benzema regrets it… He could have departed Real Madrid on a high note after winning titles and the Ballon d’Or.” Larqué highlighted Benzema’s desire to finish his career at Real Madrid and described his move as getting lost in an “artificial championship.”
Benzema’s absence from Al-Ittihad’s final game of 2023, with club and coach permission, sparks speculation about a potential return to Europe. Manchester United, struggling with scoring this season, might find Benzema a viable short-term fix over players like Timo Werner or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Louis Zaha, a club legend, endorsed Benzema as a game-changer for United’s frontline, albeit acknowledging the unlikelihood of the deal materializing: “It’s just a dream… Karim is a professional, the kind of striker Hojlund could learn from, but it’s more of a fantasy.”