Benzema to Arsenal latest: Striker takes decisive action over transfer rumours

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 Jan 2024 08:56 GMT
• 3 min read

Karim Benzema continues to be linked with a January loan to Arsenal from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

Benzema has endured a frustrating first six months in Saudi Arabia, where he is reportedly disappointed with the level of his teammates, despite personally scoring nine goals in 15 league games.

Speculation over his unhappiness has only built over the winter period, with the former Lyon and Real Madrid striker failing to show up for training after a holiday in Mauritius.

Benzema blamed inclement weather that prevented his plane from flying back to Jeddah, but some sections of the media have claimed it is simply further evidence that the striker is unhappy with his current lot and will seek to push through a move away amid rumours Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in a six-month loan.

Benzema to return to training

Benzema will return to Al-Ittihad training on Friday and will not leave the Saudi club before the end of the season, according to L’Equipe.

A source close to the player says that “he will 100% stay at Al-Ittihad” this January.

The long-term future of the France international, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or, has not been assured, but this might well have been his last chance to move to a truly giant club once again, with a team of the stature of Arsenal or Chelsea unlikely to return in the summer to strike a deal.

The Gunners are known to have younger forwards on their shortlist, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen among those who are being targeted by manager Mikel Arteta. Neither is currently a plausible addition in January due to their respective price tags.

With Benzema now apparently distancing himself from a move, Arsenal are running out of January options to bolster their forward line, where Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have both struggled for goals this season.