Al-Ittihad block European return for Karim Benzema

Despite repeated links with a return to Europe this month, Al-Ittihad won’t sanction Karim Benzema’s (36) departure from Saudi Arabia this month, according to L’Équipe.

Earlier this month, AFP reported that Benzema had asked to leave Al-Ittihad, just months after arriving on a free transfer from Real Madrid. Whilst the Frenchman’s entourage have denied the reports, interested clubs have begun to circle. Amongst them, formative club Olympique Lyonnais, as well as Manchester United, who recently appointed Omar Berrada, close to PIF executives, as the club’s new CEO.

One club that won’t make a move to sign Benzema is Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti unequivocally rejecting the Frenchman’s return to the Bernabeu. However, despite the existence of European interest, Al-Ittihad are not willing to sanction a departure, at least not outside of the Gulf State.

Al-Ittihad are completely closed to the idea of letting Benzema return to Europe this month, according to L’Equipe, in what would be considered a backward step for the Saudi Pro League. However, Al-Ittihad would not be opposed to loaning Benzema to another Saudi club before the closure of the transfer window.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle