Karim Benzema, recently linked to a Premier League move after leaving Real Madrid for Al-Ittihad in the summer, is drawing attention from Chelsea and Arsenal. Despite his successful start in Saudi Arabia, Benzema faces uncertainty, having been excluded from Al-Ittihad’s mid-season training in Dubai for failing to report. His camp attributes this to being stranded in Mauritius due to a tropical storm during his holiday.
Benzema, a 36-year-old striker on a £258 million, three-year deal, has scored nine goals with five assists in 15 appearances for Al-Ittihad this season. Speculation about his potential move to the English top-flight, particularly to Chelsea in the January transfer window, is gaining momentum.
Contrary to rumours, Manchester United has reportedly ruled out signing Benzema during January due to concerns about his age and high wages, estimated at £86 million per season. The club, struggling with goal-scoring, is exploring other options for a new striker.
On the Chelsea front, there is a possibility of considering Roberto Firmino or Karim Benzema, according to The Telegraph. Chelsea seems inclined to find a short-term solution to their goal-scoring issues rather than making a substantial financial commitment, similar to their approach in the previous January transfer window.
When questioned about the need for a new striker, Chelsea manager Pochettino clarified that he hadn’t explicitly stated such a need. He emphasized the club’s readiness to assess the market and potential situations. Despite the uncertainty, the club is prepared to act in the transfer market if necessary.
Louis Saha, a former Manchester United star, has expressed the belief that Benzema would be a transformative addition to United’s attack. In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Saha stated that signing Benzema would be a dream transfer for the club, asserting that the experienced striker could bring goal-scoring prowess and improved team play to United.
In summary, Karim Benzema’s potential move to the Premier League, specifically to Chelsea, is generating buzz. Manchester United has ruled out signing him due to concerns about age and wages. Chelsea, exploring short-term solutions, might consider Benzema or Roberto Firmino. The transfer market dynamics remain uncertain, with managers and clubs carefully evaluating options in the ongoing January window.
