Frenchman Karim Benzema has not given his final approval to join the Saudi Federation of Jeddah despite an “open line” between the Saudi league champions and Real Madrid’s top scorer, according to a Jeddah club source.
“There is an open line of negotiations with Benzema, but so far Benzema has not given final permission to the representatives of the federation for his transfer to the team starting next season,” a source at the club, which has finally crowned the champion title, said. for the first time since 2009, according to AFP.
The federation hopes to include the best player in the world for 2022 to compete in its ranks at the upcoming Club World Cup scheduled for next December in Saudi Arabia.
Led by Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo and a flamboyant attack consisting of Moroccan Abd al-Razzaq Hamdallah and Brazilian Romarinho, Al Ittihad have had an outstanding record this season, winning the league title in addition to the Super Cup.
For his part, Real Madrid’s top scorer on Thursday left the door open to all possibilities regarding his future, saying during a ceremony held by the sports newspaper Marca in his honor: “Why talk about my future? Madrid. Those who talk (about his transition) are on the Internet.” The Internet is not true.
The 35-year-old Benzema’s contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30, but he may decide to extend it for another season, which will be his fifteenth with the Royal Team, thanks to the Ballon d’Or he won last year, according to with a clause in his original contract.
And Spanish newspapers have reported that Benzema has received an offer from Saudi Arabia for 200 million euros over two years to move him to the local league, where his former Real Madrid teammate Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nasr club.
Source: agencies
