Karim Benzema to Man United, Forward Interested In 6-Month Loan Deal
Karim Benzema was recently left out of the Al Ittihad squad to travel to Dubai which promoted questions as to whether he could join a Premier League club on a short-term loan deal. The Saudi club’s manager Marcelo Gallardo left the French forward out of the travelling squad for their training camp in Dubai, with no apparent injury attached to the reason for Benzema being left out.
Manchester United have been looking for a striker this past month. Rasmus Hojlund is beginning to find his feet at the club, but there is no cover for the Danish striker when he has to come off or if he picks up an injury. United has well and truly thrown the 20-year-old in at the deep end, which is something Karim Benzema could help with. Having a veteran like that to learn from could benefit Hojlund and the rest of the squad, so it comes as no surprise United are linked to his signature.
United Want Benzema:
Reports in Spain are now suggesting Manchester United are eyeing a six-month loan deal for Karim Benzema. United decided against the signing of Timo Werner this month, and instead decided they wanted to go in another direction when it came to a signing. The French striker could be that man.
Benzema has been rumoured for months not to be happy at Al Ittihad and didn’t turn up for training on three occasions before the New Year had even turned. The feeling is that the French striker is not pleased by the circumstances in Saudi Arabia since he joined, and a move back to Europe is now not out of the question.
Manchester United and Chelsea are two clubs that could benefit from the signing of the 36-year-old, who won the Champions League two seasons ago for Real Madrid. Benzema recorded one of the best campaigns in the competition history during that season, suggesting his time at the top may not be over just yet.
Lyon & Manchester United:
Manchester United are not alone in their interest, with the former side of the French striker Lyon also looking to get a deal done. The suggestion is that Al Ittihad is likely to prefer a loan, as allowing a player the stature of Benzema to leave may reflect poorly on the league as a whole. A loan deal means he could eventually be re-integrated, but that seems unlikely given his recent behaviours.
Manchester United have been on the loan market for strikers this window due to their FFP situation. Any large deals are unlikely for the club in January, but a loan deal is well within their reach. Erik ten Hag signed Wout Weghorst on loan last winter, with the Dutch forward helping the club win a Carabao Cup trophy and get to an FA Cup final.
There is no official bid on the table from either club as of yet. Benzema has been scoring goals in Saudi, with nine goals in his 15 appearances in the league so far. He is one of many high-profile players said to be struggling after signing from Europe this season. Players like Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson are also said to be seeking a move away, citing the low crowds and the weather as a reason they’re becoming disillusioned.
A Race Against Time:
United have just over 15 days to try and sign a forward before the window shuts. Rasmus Hojlund needs cover, and failure to do so could result in the club falling to their worst league finish in the history of the Premier League. Goals need to start flying, and Karim the dream could be the man to make that happen.
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