Benzema to Arsenal back ON as Romano drops transfer bomb

Robin Bairner

• 22 Jan 2024 06:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Karim Benzema’s transfer to Arsenal is not dead, despite claims that the Al-Ittihad striker will not be leaving the Saudi Pro League this month.

Benzema is reportedly unhappy in Saudi after leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, with the France international forward returning back late to training.

The veteran forward claimed that weather conditions had left him stuck on Mauritius, where he was holidaying, but it simply added fuel to the fire of rumours suggesting that he is primed to leave the club.

On Friday, Benzema returned to training with his side, while his entourage sent a message that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is content to see out the season in Saudi Arabia.

However, football transfer news expert Romano claims that the door is very much open for Arsenal – or another leading club – to make a move.

“There is nothing at the moment with Arsenal,” Romano stressed on his YouTube channel before going on to explain the current situation with the former Real Madrid and Lyon striker.

“What I’m hearing at the moment is that the situation remains quite tense between Karim Benzema and Al-Ittihad. There are new face-to-face meetings between Benzema, people close to the player, and the club to find a solution.

“Benzema returned to training in recent days but not with the rest of the group. He’s training alone because the situation remains tense.”

Arsenal’s Benzema challenge

Romano did warn, however, that Arsenal face significant hurdles to get a deal over the line.

“It’s difficult for European clubs to sign Benzema right now is because of the financial package. The only way to make it happen will be for Benzema to accept an unbelievable reduction in his salary.

“People in the Saudi Pro League want Benzema to remain in the same league. So they are quite open for Benzema to find a solution with another Saudi club.”

Nevertheless, with Arsenal eyeing the possibility of a loan deal until June, this could provide Benzema with a welcome respite from his situation at Al-Ittihad while giving the Saudi Pro League powers a window in which to fix the player’s problem. Mikel Arteta has 10 days to make his play.