Chelsea set sights on Karim Benzema for potential transfer to a non-European club amid attempt to leave Al-Ittihad

Introduction to the article:
The article discusses the potential move of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club, to another club also based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The striker’s initial move to Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid has reportedly soured, and he is considering a transfer to another club.

Uncertain Future for Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Ittihad in the summer was accompanied by a large paycheck, but reports indicate that the striker has become unsettled at the club, leading to speculation about a potential transfer. Despite reported interest from clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United, financial concerns have hindered any potential loan deals.

Considerations from Former Clubs

Not only have other clubs in Saudi Arabia shown interest in acquiring Benzema, but his former club Lyon has also expressed interest in bringing the striker back to Ligue Un. While Manchester United was reportedly keen on acquiring Benzema to add experience to their frontline, his high earnings have complicated any potential move away from Al-Ittihad.

Disruption in Training and Social Media Presence

Benzema’s return to Al-Ittihad from a holiday was marred by issues, as he was reportedly unreachable for 10 days and subsequently delayed his return to training, prompting the club to make him train alone. His decision to deactivate his popular Instagram account also raised questions about his commitment to the club.