Olympique Lyonnais are reportedly considering the possibility of bringing back French striker Karim Benzema to the club where his illustrious football career began.
Benzema, 36, made a high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in the summer, signing a three-year contract.
However, recent developments suggest that Lyon are exploring the potential for a reunion with the seasoned striker.
Karim Benzema’s football journey has seen him evolve from a promising talent at Lyon to becoming a key figure at Real Madrid.
Having joined Lyon’s youth academy at the tender age of nine, Benzema climbed through the ranks and went on to win three domestic titles with the club.
Lyon are exploring a move to bring Karim Benzema back to the club.
— ChelsTransfer (@ChelsTransfer) January 22, 2024
Al Ittihad have yet to receive any offers for Benzema and the striker has not told the club that he wants to leave at this stage. More meetings are planned this week to clear the air.
(Athletic) pic.twitter.com/1MwqsArqSD
In 2009, he made a significant move to Real Madrid, where he has since enjoyed immense success, winning numerous domestic and international honours.
Benzema’s stint at Al Ittihad has been a mixed bag of performances and off-field controversies. Despite scoring an impressive 12 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, the striker has faced criticism from fans for what they perceive as subpar performances.
The recent dip in form for Al Ittihad, with three consecutive league losses before the mid-season break, has added to the pressure.
While Lyon’s interest in bringing back Benzema is evident, the intricacies of the deal cannot be overlooked.
The French striker signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad, making any potential move complex. As of now, Al Ittihad has not received any offers for Benzema, and the player has not expressed a desire to leave despite his recent absence during the Saudi Arabian mid-season break.
Benzema’s recent behaviour has raised eyebrows, with reports of the striker leaving for holiday without permission and returning late to the team.
This has led to scheduled meetings between Benzema and Al Ittihad officials to address the issues and clear the air.
The situation has been further compounded by Benzema’s decision to delete his Instagram profile, possibly in response to the criticism he has faced.
Al Ittihad, the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League, find themselves in a challenging position. Sitting seventh among 18 teams in the league, the team lost their last three league games before the break.
The upcoming King’s Cup quarter-final against Al Faisaly on February 4 will be a crucial fixture for Al Ittihad as they aim to bounce back and solidify their position in the league.
