HITC Football understands that Karim Benzema is due for talks with Al-Ittihad this week to discuss his future in the Saudi Pro League.
Benzema was left out of a mid-season training camp in Dubai by head coach Marcelo Gallardo after he failed to meet-up with the rest of the squad in Jeddah earlier this week.
Benzema is clearly unsettled, but Al-Ittihad and the Pro League have little desire to see one of the marquee signings depart.
England’s Jordan Henderson has left Al-Ettifaq and is set to join Ajax, but Benzema is on a different level and is one of the highest paid footballers of all time, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of salary and losing the French superstar is now part of their plans. Pro League sources have indicated to HITC Football that there is little desire to see Benzema leave this month.
Ittihad set for talks
Ittihad have just confirmed Ramon Planes as their new sporting director and one of his first tasks will be to try and smooth over the situation between Benzema and Gallardo and HITC Football is told that Planes is hopeful of finding a resolution.
Benzema has been linked with a move to England in the last week with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United – but as it stands the only links have come from intermediaries claiming a deal could be done.
Real return?
HITC Football has been told that should Benzema become available that the 36-year-old would push for a return to Real Madrid ahead of a move to England – although it remains to be seen if Florentino Perez would want him back in the Spanish capital. As it stands they have not shown any interest in such a deal.
We are also told another club who would also offer him a deal, if he was available, is Paris Saint-Germain. PSG are frustrated by big summer signing Goncalo Ramos and Benzema’s possible availability is of interest to the French champions.
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