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Karim Benzema leaving Al Hilal?
Michael Gerlinger, the director general of OL, stated that contact occurred with an intermediary this summer concerning a potential return for Karim Benzema. Gerlinger reported that the move did not advance because of contractual issues, saying it was not feasible and that OL needed to sign a striker quickly. Gerlinger also noted that he did not speak directly with Benzema.
Michael Gerlinger, the director general of OL, stated that contact occurred with an intermediary this summer concerning a potential return for Karim Benzema. Gerlinger reported that the move did not advance because of contractual issues, saying it was not feasible and that OL needed to sign a striker quickly. Gerlinger also noted that he did not speak directly with Benzema.
According to talkSPORT, Premier League clubs might show interest in Karim Benzema. Journalist Ben Jacobs stated that he considers it plausible that offers will come from England. However, Jacobs questioned if someone would take a risk with him and added that it is uncertain whether those will be clubs from the Premier League, given his age.
According to talkSPORT, Premier League clubs might show interest in Karim Benzema. Journalist Ben Jacobs stated that he considers it plausible that offers will come from England. However, Jacobs questioned if someone would take a risk with him and added that it is uncertain whether those will be clubs from the Premier League, given his age.
Al Hilal announced the termination of Karim Benzema's contract by mutual agreement. Benzema is now a free agent and is able to sign with new clubs, including teams in Europe, because the transfer window is still open in most major European leagues.
Al Hilal announced the termination of Karim Benzema's contract by mutual agreement. Benzema is now a free agent and is able to sign with new clubs, including teams in Europe, because the transfer window is still open in most major European leagues.
According to Fabrizio Romano, an announcement from Karim Benzema about his next career move is expected soon. His options include retirement or continuing to play at another Saudi club, as a return to Europe is not a possibility.
According to Fabrizio Romano, an announcement from Karim Benzema about his next career move is expected soon. His options include retirement or continuing to play at another Saudi club, as a return to Europe is not a possibility.
Karim Benzema is leaving Al Hilal after half a year at the club. According to Fabrizio Romano, a contract termination has been agreed.
Karim Benzema is leaving Al Hilal after half a year at the club. According to Fabrizio Romano, a contract termination has been agreed.
According to AS, Karim Benzema has several offers to continue his career, one of which is from MLS.
According to AS, Karim Benzema has several offers to continue his career, one of which is from MLS.
According to the Saudi daily Asharq Al Awsat, Karim Benzema and Al Hilal have reached an agreement to mutually terminate their collaboration six months after his arrival. Benzema initially wanted to stay and demanded nearly €18 million to accept a termination. This amount corresponds to the remaining salary due until June 2027. An agreement was reached after three days of negotiations, but the amount of the indemnity obtained by Benzema was not disclosed.
According to the Saudi daily Asharq Al Awsat, Karim Benzema and Al Hilal have reached an agreement to mutually terminate their collaboration six months after his arrival. Benzema initially wanted to stay and demanded nearly €18 million to accept a termination. This amount corresponds to the remaining salary due until June 2027. An agreement was reached after three days of negotiations, but the amount of the indemnity obtained by Benzema was not disclosed.
According to a journalist from Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Hilal is exploring several options to separate from Karim Benzema, and if contract termination is chosen, it would cost 22 million euros. The journalist also stated that the club's owner, Prince Al-Waleed ben Talal, is reportedly committed to paying the full amount. However, the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports that while discussions about Benzema's future are taking place, Al-Hilal is not as determined as has been suggested. Asharq Al-Awsat also states that if a separation occurs, it would be the result of negotiations and not a unilateral decision by the club. Karim Benzema is under contract with Al-Hilal until June 30, 2027, and also has a contract with the SPL recruitment program that pays him around 19.7 million euros annually until 2030. If Benzema leaves Saudi Arabia this summer, this contract would be immediately terminated, and he would lose a total of 78.8 million euros.
According to a journalist from Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Hilal is exploring several options to separate from Karim Benzema, and if contract termination is chosen, it would cost 22 million euros. The journalist also stated that the club's owner, Prince Al-Waleed ben Talal, is reportedly committed to paying the full amount. However, the newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reports that while discussions about Benzema's future are taking place, Al-Hilal is not as determined as has been suggested. Asharq Al-Awsat also states that if a separation occurs, it would be the result of negotiations and not a unilateral decision by the club. Karim Benzema is under contract with Al-Hilal until June 30, 2027, and also has a contract with the SPL recruitment program that pays him around 19.7 million euros annually until 2030. If Benzema leaves Saudi Arabia this summer, this contract would be immediately terminated, and he would lose a total of 78.8 million euros.
Simone Inzaghi has denied reports from Saudi media which claimed that Al-Hilal wanted to terminate the final year of Karim Benzema's contract in order to create a space for a foreign recruit.
Simone Inzaghi has denied reports from Saudi media which claimed that Al-Hilal wanted to terminate the final year of Karim Benzema's contract in order to create a space for a foreign recruit.
According to Saudi press, Karim Benzema responded to journalists about recent transfer rumors after the victory against Al-Fayha, stating that there was nothing to them and that he is staying and continuing with the team. Benzema clarified his intention to continue his experience with Al-Hilal and reiterated his will to remain in Saudi Arabia. Speculation about a possible early departure had been fueled by rumors of a difficult relationship with coach Simone Inzaghi.
According to Saudi press, Karim Benzema responded to journalists about recent transfer rumors after the victory against Al-Fayha, stating that there was nothing to them and that he is staying and continuing with the team. Benzema clarified his intention to continue his experience with Al-Hilal and reiterated his will to remain in Saudi Arabia. Speculation about a possible early departure had been fueled by rumors of a difficult relationship with coach Simone Inzaghi.
AS reports that following rumours about Karim Benzema's potential departure from Al Hilal, which included talk of a contract termination, he remained with the team. Benzema played as a starter in the second matchday of the Saudi league.
AS reports that following rumours about Karim Benzema's potential departure from Al Hilal, which included talk of a contract termination, he remained with the team. Benzema played as a starter in the second matchday of the Saudi league.
According to Fichajes, Al Hilal are seeking to sell striker Karim Benzema and are targeting Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as their preferred replacement.
According to Fichajes, Al Hilal are seeking to sell striker Karim Benzema and are targeting Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as their preferred replacement.
Sky Sports confirms there is a rupture between Karim Benzema and Inzaghi, which occurred after the player made a negative gesture towards the coach upon being substituted in the match against Al-Faisal. According to Sky Sports, this situation could make the Frenchman a certain sale this summer. However, AS, citing sources close to the player, reports that leaving the Saudi club is not in Benzema's plans.
Sky Sports confirms there is a rupture between Karim Benzema and Inzaghi, which occurred after the player made a negative gesture towards the coach upon being substituted in the match against Al-Faisal. According to Sky Sports, this situation could make the Frenchman a certain sale this summer. However, AS, citing sources close to the player, reports that leaving the Saudi club is not in Benzema's plans.
According to AS, Karim Benzema could be released from his contract with his Saudi club during this summer transfer window. The reason for the possible separation is reportedly that Simone Inzaghi does not consider Benzema essential to his plans, and Benzema could consider terminating the agreement to become a free agent. AS also reports that Benzema has asked to receive the full salary for the last year of his contract before agreeing to leave. This request was not received positively by Al-Hilal management and the Saudi league leadership. A significant part of his salary is covered by the Saudi Pro League, complicating an immediate departure without an agreement among all parties: player, club, and league.
According to AS, Karim Benzema could be released from his contract with his Saudi club during this summer transfer window. The reason for the possible separation is reportedly that Simone Inzaghi does not consider Benzema essential to his plans, and Benzema could consider terminating the agreement to become a free agent. AS also reports that Benzema has asked to receive the full salary for the last year of his contract before agreeing to leave. This request was not received positively by Al-Hilal management and the Saudi league leadership. A significant part of his salary is covered by the Saudi Pro League, complicating an immediate departure without an agreement among all parties: player, club, and league.
Al-Hilal is considering terminating Karim Benzema's contract if the club recruits a new striker during the current transfer window. The club is studying the possibility of a financial agreement with Karim Benzema to end his contract, a move motivated in part by the need to free up a spot in their foreign player quota. According to Saudi press reports, the relationship between Simone Inzaghi and Karim Benzema is not perfect.
Al-Hilal is considering terminating Karim Benzema's contract if the club recruits a new striker during the current transfer window. The club is studying the possibility of a financial agreement with Karim Benzema to end his contract, a move motivated in part by the need to free up a spot in their foreign player quota. According to Saudi press reports, the relationship between Simone Inzaghi and Karim Benzema is not perfect.
Karim Benzema, a 38-year-old Centre-Forward, refuses to leave Al-Hilal and does not accept any offered option for a summer transfer. The Al-Hilal management tried to resolve the situation by offering Benzema a transfer to one of the new first-division clubs in the league, but the French footballer rejected this possibility. Benzema has only one condition for leaving the club: he demands payment of the entire amount for the remaining year of his contract, after which he would independently and without the club's influence choose a new club. The French international, who has 97 caps and 37 goals for his country, joined the club in February 2026 and has a current Transfermarkt market value of €5.00m.
Karim Benzema, a 38-year-old Centre-Forward, refuses to leave Al-Hilal and does not accept any offered option for a summer transfer. The Al-Hilal management tried to resolve the situation by offering Benzema a transfer to one of the new first-division clubs in the league, but the French footballer rejected this possibility. Benzema has only one condition for leaving the club: he demands payment of the entire amount for the remaining year of his contract, after which he would independently and without the club's influence choose a new club. The French international, who has 97 caps and 37 goals for his country, joined the club in February 2026 and has a current Transfermarkt market value of €5.00m.
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