Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, has reportedly been in discussions with Olympique Lyon about a potential transfer. Despite joining Al Ittihad last year, the team has greatly underperformed this season and currently sits in seventh place in the league table. As a result, Benzema has faced strong criticism from fans and the Saudi media. It is believed that his dissatisfaction in Saudi Arabia has led him to request an early exit from the club.
However, it remains uncertain whether Al Ittihad will agree to sell him before the end of the month. Reports have suggested that the Saudi Pro League’s officials may be willing to transfer him to another team within the division in order to keep him in the Gulf country. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that Benzema could return to France, with talks already taking place between him and Olympique Lyon. In addition to Lyon, there have also been rumors linking him to a potential return to Real Madrid or a move to the Premier League.
If Benzema were to return to Europe, he would likely have to accept a significant pay cut. This is because when he joined Al Ittihad in 2023, he became one of the highest-paid footballers in the world.