Karim Benzema set to leave Real Madrid after 14 years

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will leave the club this summer and join the Saudi Pro League, according to ESPN.

The 35-year-old reportedly has an offer from Al-Ittihad worth €200 million and is ready to accept it.

The former French international joined Los Blancos from his boyhood club Lyon in 2009

He helped Real Madrid to win five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles during his stay time with the club.

They also picked up the Club World Cup five times and the UEFA Super Cup four times. He e also won three Copa del Reys and three Spanish Super Cup titles.

Benzema bagged 353 goals and 165 assists in 647 appearances for Madrid.

He enjoyed his best-ever season at the club last year, captaining them to their 14th UCL title and another La Liga triumph.

Benzema was the top scorer in both competitions and won the 2022 Ballon d’Or. He also picked up the UEFA Footballer of the Year award.

The centre-forward has had to deal with many niggling injuries as he comes to grips with old age this term. He still netted 18 La Liga goals in his 23 appearances.

Benzema moves to reinforce an Al-Ittihad side that won the Saudi Pro League this term ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Benzema’s departure will leave a gaping hole in the Madrid squad to fill. They were likely not expecting his departure this summer but will have to enter the transfer market.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be keenly interested in Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor Osimhen (Napoli) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).