Karim Benzema is reportedly the target of a lucrative £345m two-year deal from an unnamed team in Saudi Arabia. With his contract at Real Madrid set to expire this summer and no extension signed yet, the striker's future is currently undecided. Despite rumors that he'll renew his stay in Spain, the 35-year-old hasn't made an official announcement, leaving fans guessing as the season draws to a close.
French star footballer Karim Benzema has reportedly been offered a massive £345m two-year deal to join an unnamed Saudi Arabian side this summer. The Real Madrid striker’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu is up in the air as he is yet to sign an extension to his contract which expires this summer. Reports suggest that Benzema is likely to sign a new deal with Los Blancos, but the 35-year-old striker has still not announced his future with just one game left to play this season.
AS Sport reports that the Frenchman has been offered €400m (£345m) over two seasons to leave Madrid and head to Saudi Arabia, ending a legendary 14-year career with the club. This eye-watering sum would put his earnings on par with Cristiano Ronaldo's current deal at Al-Nassr, which is worth £173m per year.
Acquiring Benzema is believed to be part of a larger strategy to help the country host the 2030 World Cup, where he could act as a global ambassador. This role would likely be extremely profitable if the bid—which is a joint effort with Greece and Turkey—is successful. It's a similar approach to the one used with Lionel Messi, who currently serves as a tourism ambassador for the nation.
AS Sport views the arrival of Ronaldo as the starting point for the country's ambitions to host the World Cup, and there is speculation that Messi could also make the move to Saudi Arabia this summer. Meanwhile, Benzema's recent season with Madrid has been inconsistent; it was a frustrating year for the club, as they only managed to win the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup, failing in their other major pursuits.
Madrid's campaign saw them fall behind Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title and suffer a semi-final exit in the Champions League at the hands of Manchester City. Benzema's journey in Spain began back in 2009 when he joined from Lyon, eventually becoming one of the most decorated players in the club's history.
Following his 2022 Ballon d’Or win, Benzema's output dipped slightly, scoring 18 goals in just 23 league appearances during a disappointing run for Madrid. However, his overall legacy is undeniable, with over 350 goals scored across more than 600 matches since his initial £25m transfer 14 years ago.