Benzema wants to leave Saudi club after bust-up: source close to club / Photo: - - AFP/File
-
Lens beat PFC in Ligue 1 matchday impacted by social unrest
-
Japan's Nakai wins Grand Prix de France for second straight year
-
Valkyries hit back against Dream to level WNBA Finals
-
Ronaldinho to make comeback in Italian third tier
-
'Fighting for our rights': Paris protesters determined to march on
-
Israeli forces displace Hebron families after deadly attack
-
Clashes break out in Paris, other French cities amid fresh protests
-
Hamilton on top with Antonelli fourth in final practice at US Grand Prix
-
Spurs seal rare win at Chelsea as Palmer sees red
-
Beier late show sends Dortmund top of Bundesliga
-
Nearly 1,000 arrested in French protests marred by 'elevated' violence: minister
-
Police and protesters clash again at Albanian anti-government rally
-
France extends detention of suspected racist shooter
-
Arteta hails mentality as Arsenal go level with Man City
-
Andrade and Nemour star as Biles cheers at world gymnastics champs
-
Clashes break out in Paris, other cities amid fresh protests
-
Nigeria's Tinubu defends record as economy bites ahead of election
-
Bouthier kicks Vannes to first Top 14 win of season
-
'Guiding star' Fuellkrug bags Bremen brace, Leipzig win
-
Thousands rally for Lula and Bolsonaro on eve of tight Brazil vote
-
Man City's perfect start ended by Aston Villa, Arsenal go joint-top
-
Red-hot Fuellkrug bags Bremen brace, Leipzig win
-
Arsenal sink Everton to join Man City at Premier League summit
-
Thousands gather at new Albanian anti-government rally
-
France protests: Latest developments
-
French police fire tear gas during fresh protests
-
French ice dancers Cizeron and Fournier make golden start to season
-
Suspect detained after fire wrecks Hitler's mountain retreat
-
Thousands protest crackdown on media in Turkey
-
Alexander Skarsgard and his viral 'Wicker' transformation
-
Brazil's Andrade returns to take vault gold at worlds
-
Thousands protest in Turkey over journalists' arrests, media shutdowns
-
Lula, Bolsonaro hold final rallies ahead of Brazil election
-
Man City beaten by Aston Villa to end perfect Premier League start
-
Ukraine has 'stable connection' to Starlink: govt
-
Luis Enrique says PSG unbothered by Lyon match switch
-
French protests kick off amid heavy security blanket
-
US gymnast Richard wins floor exercise gold at worlds
-
250,000 rally in Madrid demanding state pension guarantees
-
Moltzan upstages Shiffrin to win season-opening World Cup giant slalom
-
UK police says 'claims' over Meghan Markle's dad not sent to other law enforcement
-
Infantino says backed by 'vast majority' in bid for re-election
-
Top-ranked Rybakina to face Fernandez for Ningbo title
-
Police fire tear gas as new French protests kick off
-
Late India charge seals thrilling second T20 win over New Zealand
-
Police fire tear gas as new French demonstrations kick off
-
Seen and heard at France protests
-
Tropical Storm Champi nears China after battering Taiwan, Japan
-
White says Fiji can have 'massive' World Cup after beating Japan
-
'Weeks, not days' in Kompany recovery, say Bayern
Benzema wants to leave Saudi club after bust-up: source close to club
Karim Benzema wants to leave his Saudi club Al-Ittihad after a bust-up with management, a source close to the club told AFP on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old former Real Madrid striker held a "raging" meeting with the club and its Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo last Friday, the source said.
Benzema told his coach and club management "he doesn't feel he is able to give his best because of the current pressure at Ittihad".
"Benzema asked to leave Ittihad temporarily to change the atmosphere," the source added.
Al-Ittihad offered to loan the French striker to another Saudi Pro League club but he has refused, the source added.
Contacted by AFP, Benzema's entourage declined to comment.
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, who was one of the highest-profile signings of the Saudi league last year and is reportedly being paid 100 million euros ($109 million) a season, returned to the club 17 days late after its mid-season break.
He has since been training alone in Jeddah, according to the source, not allowed for "discipline reasons" to rejoin his team-mates who are at a training camp in Dubai.
Reports in England say Premier League club Chelsea would be keen to take Benzema on loan in the current transfer window.
His former club in France, Lyon, could not afford his wages, according to their spokesman.
He said a possible loan deal for Benzema "had never been studied or considered", adding: "It is not at all within Lyon's financial means."
A source close to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al-Ittihad and three other Saudi clubs, said anyway "there is no option that Benzema leaves this month".
Benzema has scored nine goals in the Saudi Pro League this season, but is well behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 20 times for Al-Nassr.
Al-Ittihad are seventh in the division after three successive defeats. They have scored the fewest goals and conceded the most of the four teams owned by the PIF.
The league is due to resume on February 7.
Another high-profile recruitment to the Saudi league, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, quit his club Al-Ettifaq to join Dutch side Ajax last week.
Henderson insisted his decision to return to Europe was made for football reasons because he wants to be in contention for England's Euro 2024 squad.
His family reportedly found it hard to settle in the Gulf and his reputation as a supporter of LGBTQ rights was tarnished by his move to Saudi Arabia.
J.Williams--AMWN
