Karim Benzema 'closing in on Al-Ittihad move'

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has reportedly informed the Spanish giants of his desire to leave on a free transfer this summer to complete a move to Al-Ittihad.

The 35-year-old has had his injury problems during the 2022-23 campaign but has still had a productive season, finding the back of the net on 30 occasions in 42 appearances, in addition to contributing six assists.

Benzema was widely expected to sign a new one-year contract at Bernabeu, with his current deal due to expire at the end of June, but talk of a switch to Saudi Arabia has gathered pace in recent days.

According to journalist Santi Aouna, the Frenchman spoke to Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday and informed him of his wish to leave the club this summer.

Aouna claims that Los Blancos have not given up hope of convincing the striker to stay, but he now appears to be closing in on a switch to Saudi Arabia.

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The journalist reports that Al-Ittihad first registered their interest 'more than a month ago', but Benzema was not prepared to make any serious decisions on his future until after the season had finished.

The size of the wages on offer at the Saudi Arabian club are believed to have played a leading role in convincing the striker to turn his back on Real Madrid at this stage of his career.

Benzema arrived at Bernabeu from Lyon in the summer of 2009, and he has represented the Spanish giants on 647 occasions, scoring 353 goals and registering 165 assists in the process.

Los Blancos have fallen short in La Liga and the Champions League this season, but they managed to win the Copa del Rey, in addition to lifting the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.

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Benzema has spent time on the sidelines with muscular problems this season, while he missed out against Sevilla last weekend due to a deep cut on his foot.

A departure for the Frenchman would change Real Madrid's plans for the summer window, as it would leave them needing to bring in at least one but likely two new players in the final third of the field.

Mariano Diaz and Marco Asensio are also said to be preparing to leave on free transfers, and Real Madrid's leading targets in the final third of the field - Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe - will not be available until at least the summer of 2024.

Espanyol's Joselu is currently being heavily linked with a move to Bernabeu, and there have been claims that he could return to the club on loan for the 2023-24 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is also said to be a leading target, and the England captain, who is also being heavily linked with Manchester United, could be on the move during this summer's transfer window.