Karim Benzema has received a “lucrative offer” to leave Real Madrid for an unnamed Saudi Arabian club, according to various reports.
The 35-year-old – who has a year left on his contract with Los Blancos – has already made a decision on his future, reports The Athletic, but it’s not clear as to whether he has accepted or rejected it.
It is understood that Real Madrid are open to letting Benzema, a 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, leave if he were to decide to do so.
Spanish outlet AS are reporting that the contract offered to Benzema is in excess of €400 million (£346m/$439m) over two seasons and would involve him being paid as an ambassador for the World Cup bid in the future.
Benzema is Real’s second-highest scorer of all-time with 354 goals in 647 appearances, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January from Manchester United.
He has got the backing of his manager Carlo Ancelotti for the 2023 Ballon d’Or after hitting 18 goals in just 23 league games with one La Liga match remaining. His goals couldn’t prevent Barcelona from securing the title, with the Catalan club currently 11 points ahead of Real, while Manchester City advanced to the Champions League final after beating the Spanish giants in the semi-final.
In what was a mixed season, Benzema also announced his retirement from international football on his 35th birthday and a day after France lost to Argentina in a dramatic 2022 World Cup final.
He may also miss the final league game of the season when Real host Athletic Bilbao this Sunday after receiving five stitches to his right foot following an injury he sustained in the 2-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano. .
Benzema is just the latest high profile player to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi was reported to have signed a “huge” deal to join the league, a rumour that his father Jorge strenuously denied.
“There is absolutely nothing with anyone for next year,” he said in a statement.
“The decision will never be made before Lionel finishes the league with PSG.
“Once the season is over it will be time to analyse and see what is there, and then make a decision. There are always rumours and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure you that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season.”
