Karim Benzema is looking to return to Europe and earlier this month, Arsenal had the chance to sign the former Real Madrid man.
Benzema is reportedly not happy with life in the Saudi Pro League and right now, the centre-forward has been told to train away from the rest of the Al-Ittihad by head coach Marcelo Gallardo.
The SPL authorities however wish to hold onto Karim Benzema even if that means sending him to another Pro League club but it’s clear that the 36-year-old wants to move out before the end of this transfer window.
At the start of this month, Arsenal had the chance of signing the ex-Madrid forward but Mikel Arteta has chosen not to make a move because his current focus is to bring in a top-class defender in January.
Another reason why the Gunners might have backed off is because of Benzema’s huge salary package because it’s still not sure if he is ready to take a massive pay cut or not.
It’s not like Arsenal do not want to sign a striker in January because they are still being linked with players like Ivan Toney and Evan Ferguson. This basically means Arteta is not interested in bringing in a 36-year-old which is in tune with the manager’s blueprint at the club.
Arsenal’s exit means Chelsea now have a great chance of signing Karim Benzema and as per the latest reports, the forward’s services have been offered to Chelsea. Benzema has also been offered to Real Madrid but there’s no indication that Carlo Ancelotti wants him back after his shock departure in the summer.
Todd Boehly and Pochettino have no problem in signing an ageing centre-forward because the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja have been impactless so far this season.
The SPL authorities will not want to lose a big star like Karim Benzema after just a couple of months but Jordan Henderson has already made his way back to Europe so it won’t be a surprise if the Frenchman ends up leaving as well.
Apart from Chelsea, Ligue 1 side Lyon are also interested in signing Benzema but among these two, only the London side can afford Benzema’s wages at the moment.
