Benzema's Potential Move to Al-Hilal Faces Unexpected Challenges

The transfer negotiations for French striker Karim Benzema, currently the captain of Al-Ittihad Club, have taken a surprising turn in recent hours, with indications of a setback that could jeopardize what was anticipated to be a major transfer in this period.

Disputes with Al-Ittihad Management

Benzema is contracted with Al-Ittihad until the summer of 2026; however, increasing tensions between him and the club's management have prompted the player to consider an early exit. Reports suggest that Benzema declined a renewal offer from the club, which included no salary and only full image rights, deeming it unacceptable and unworthy of his career. He has communicated his intention not to continue with the team.

Al-Hilal's Interest and Negotiation Setbacks

In light of this situation, Al-Hilal's management initiated direct negotiations to secure Benzema's transfer. However, recent updates indicate that these discussions may be on the verge of collapsing. Patrick Berger, a reporter for Sky Sports, noted on the platform 'X' that the transfer deal is facing significant hurdles, reflecting a state of uncertainty in the Saudi transfer market.

Benzema's Career and Recent Absences

Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer after a distinguished 14-season tenure with Real Madrid, where he won the UEFA Champions League five times. He played a crucial role in helping Al-Ittihad secure the Saudi league title last season, but has recently missed matches against Al-Fateh and Al-Najma due to his ongoing issues with the club's management.

Other Transfer Developments

In a related note, sports journalist Khalid Al-Qahtani highlighted that Benzema's situation is not isolated, as other transfers are also pending. Notably, N'Golo Kanté's potential move from Al-Ittihad to Turkish club Fenerbahçe is under review, with no resolution reached at this time.

Ronaldo's Reaction and Market Implications

These developments have coincided with reports of frustration from Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, regarding the ongoing negotiations between Al-Hilal and Benzema. It has been reported that Ronaldo chose to miss his team's match against Riyadh in protest against perceived inequities in the transfer market.