Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi are poised to make moves to Saudi Arabia, according to recent reports. It has been confirmed that the former French forward, Benzema, will be departing from Real Madrid.
Saudi state television channel Al-Ekhbariya stated that the 35-year-old Benzema has signed with Al-Ittihad, a club based in Jeddah.
Officials from Al Hilal have traveled to France in order to negotiate a deal for Messi, who played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. The Saudi delegation plans to meet with Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, with the goal of finalizing the signing as soon as possible, sources informed AFP on Sunday.
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain two seasons ago from Barcelona, but the club has been unable to secure the coveted Champions League title during that time, experiencing round-of-16 defeats in both campaigns alongside the Argentine maestro.
Benzema and Messi are expected to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom, as the Portuguese forward made a move to Al Nassr from Manchester United following the previous year’s World Cup.
According to Al-Ekhbariya, the president and deputy of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad were in the Spanish capital to officially sign Benzema in what is being reported as a “record transfer with Real Madrid.” The broadcaster added that Benzema agreed to a two-year deal with the club, which is based on the shores of the Red Sea in the Gulf kingdom.
Benzema scored a penalty in his final game for Madrid as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Over the past week, both Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Benzema himself had stated that the striker would not leave his contract at Santiago Bernabeu prematurely, as he still has one year remaining.
Benzema has an impressive list of achievements, having won five Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and three Copas del Rey with Madrid. He is also the recipient of the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player.
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