Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has signed for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad for three years starting next season, a source in the Jeddah-based club told AFP Tuesday.
The announcement comes days after Real announced that the 35-year old was leaving the club after 14 seasons, the day after coach Carlo Ancelotti had said there was "no doubt" Benzema's future lay in the Spanish capital.
"Benzema has signed a contract for his transfer to Al-Ittihad for a three-year period starting next season," the Saudi club source said.
The Greek-born Postecoglou enjoyed huge success during two years in Glasgow, winning five trophies@SpursOfficial @premierleague @AngePostecoglou #AngePostecoglou https://t.co/DV4gwBFUaG
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) June 6, 2023
If the move is confirmed, Benzema will join his former Real teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom after the five-time world player of the year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following last year's World Cup.
Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Senior officials from another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, have flown to France to try and seal a deal for Messi after the 35-year old Argentinian played his last game for PSG at the weekend, two sources with knowledge of the matter told AFP Sunday.
The Saudi delegation plans to meet Messi's father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of completing the signing as soon as possible.
Benzema joined Real in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon.
Moves to MLS and the Middle East have been discussed at length for Messi, but Barca remain keen on bringing a prodigal son back to his spiritual home@TeamMessi #Messi @FCBarcelona_es https://t.co/njEh6ZCz5C
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) June 6, 2023
He made 648 appearances for Real and is second on their all-time goalscoring list with 354 - only Cristiano Ronaldo has more.
He has lifted five Champions Leagues, four LaLiga titles and three Copas del Rey with Real.
But after a stellar 2021-22 season when he led Real to Champions League glory and was rewarded with the Ballon d'Or, he was troubled by injuries in the just-completed season and had to miss France's World Cup campaign in Qatar last year with a thigh problem.
Saudi Arabia has drawn up a list of "more than 10" players who have won either the Champions League or the World Cup that it wants to lure to its league, a source close to the negotiations has told AFP.
The list includes Real and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his France teammate N'Golo Kante.
All are at the tail-end of their careers.
A resurgent club on the pitch, Inter exemplify the issues affecting Europe's grand old clubs as a huge debt threatens a club which won Serie A two years ago@Inter @ChampionsLeague @SerieA https://t.co/krOh3Am6JX
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) June 6, 2023
The world's biggest oil producer has ambitions to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 and is betting on sport to help revamp its austere image, which has earned accusations from rights groups that it is "sportswashing".
Real are holding a ceremony Tuesday to say goodbye to Benzema.
