Chelsea and Man Utd make Benzema enquiry

Jacque Talbot

• 30 Jan 2024 05:15 CST
• 2 min read

Manchester United and Chelsea have made inquiries over Karim Benzema, according to reports from France.

L’Equipe has stated that the Premier League clubs have asked about the availability of the striker, who has recently expressed a desire to leave Saudi Pro League outfit e Al-Ittihad.

He joined the club on a free transfer last summer but reports have stated that he is now looking for the exit.

It’s thought that the Saudi authorities are determined to prevent his return to Europe, citing potential negative repercussions for the image of their league. His exit would follow Jordan Henderson’s departure to Ajax this window, with the former Liverpool player reportedly struggling to settle into life in the Middle East.

The transfer deadline for the Saudi Pro League falls on Tuesday at 9 pm UK time (midnight local time). If the deadline elapses and Benzema remains with Al-Ittihad, speculation is likely to intensify regarding a potential move to the Premier League, as a transfer to another Saudi Pro League club becomes improbable.

For Chelsea, various strikers, including Benzema, have been linked during the January transfer window. Victor Osimhen from Napoli and Jonathan David from Lille are among the players considered potential targets by Mauricio Pochettino and his team.

Currently, Chelsea has Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku as options for the striker position. Nicolas Jackson is away on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations but is anticipated to return in the next few days following Senegal's elimination in the last-16 stage by Ivory Coast.

Man Utd recruitment

It comes after FootballTransfers' story that Ineos already have replacements for Erik ten Hag in mind ahead of the end of the season, though no talks are underway at this stage, FootballTransfers understands.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's consortium is baffled but the recruitment made by the Dutchman and believe that a fresh start is needed in the summer. We are told that there are major concerns about the players who have been bought in by Ten Hag - and even more about why they were chosen. The ambition is to strip the Dutchman of any power when it comes to transfers, with a lot of his deals going through agency SEG.

The exit of Jurgen Klopp in the summer window has hastened the need for a fresh face in the dugout, with it being possible that the Reds will be competing for similar names. Despite reports that the group does not see this season as a write-off, it would take a big uptick in displays to see Ten Hag at the helm come the end of the season. Man Utd are unlikely to reach a Champions League spot this season and there is the feeling that a revamp is needed.

It's believed that the only good purchases made by Ten Hag, withstanding this season - such as Casemiro and Christian Eriksen - were very obvious choices. There is a want to bring in young English talent and merge that with experienced Premier League players while ensuring that the club does not overpay. Ineos know Man Utd's reputation of being overzealous with funds must be smashed.