In a move that could represent one of the biggest shifts in the Saudi Professional League transfer market, league leaders Al-Hilal have entered serious negotiations to sign veteran French striker Karim Benzema from their arch-rivals Al-Ittihad. A senior source at the Riyadh-based club confirmed to AFP on Monday that talks are underway between the parties involved, opening the door to a blockbuster deal that could reshape the power dynamics in the Saudi Professional League.
Background to the deal and strained relationship with the federation
These negotiations come at a tense time for Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, with his current club, Al-Ittihad. The 36-year-old has missed the team's last two matches, and media reports have increasingly suggested disagreements between him and the club's management and coaching staff, led by Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, particularly after his late return from vacation, which resulted in his exclusion from the team's training camp in Dubai.
Details of the negotiations and the main point of contention
According to the Al-Hilal source, the main point of contention revolves around the length of the proposed contract. Al-Hilal wants to acquire Benzema on a six-month loan until the end of the current season to bolster their attacking options in the absence of their Brazilian star, Neymar Jr., due to injury. Meanwhile, Benzema's agent is pushing for a one-and-a-half-year contract, which would guarantee the player stability until the end of next season.
General context and importance of the event
Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 on a massive free transfer after a legendary 14-year career with Real Madrid, during which he won five Champions League titles. His arrival was part of the Saudi Public Investment Fund's project to elevate the league's standards and attract top international stars. However, the team's results this season have fallen short of expectations, with the club realistically out of contention for the title, trailing league leaders Al-Hilal by a significant margin. The transfer of a player of Benzema's stature from a major club like Al-Ittihad to their direct rivals Al-Hilal will have a tremendous impact both domestically and internationally. Domestically, it will solidify Al-Hilal's dominance and significantly weaken Al-Ittihad, while internationally, it will highlight the intense competitive dynamics within the Saudi league and the ability of its clubs to exchange top players – a rare occurrence in major European leagues of this scale.
Despite scoring 12 goals in 20 matches with Al-Nassr across all competitions, the future of the French star remains uncertain, and the next few weeks will be crucial in determining his next destination, whether he stays in Jeddah or moves to Riyadh in a deal that will ignite competition and spark widespread controversy in the sports world.
