Benzema to stay in Saudi despite European interest – sources

Karim Benzema will finish the season at Al Ittihad despite the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner wanting to leave Saudi Arabia this month, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

As ESPN reported earlier in January, Benzema had been exploring his options in the transfer window after a disappointing first six months in Jeddah.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)

The former France international knew Al Ittihad were unlikely to let him leave the club, but was considering a return to Europe.

Chelsea and his hometown club Lyon have both inquired about his availability, sources told ESPN.

However, Al Ittihad refused to allow Benzema to leave the Gulf country, instead attempting to loan him to another club in the Saudi Pro League, but the former Real Madrid striker refused.

Benzema, 36, signed a three-year contract with Al Ittihad as a free agent this summer, but was disappointed with the way his first half-season with the team went.

Al Ittihad are seventh in the Saudi Pro League, 25 points behind leader Al Hilal. Benzema has been criticized by the Saudi media despite scoring 15 goals in 24 games in all competitions so far this season.

Benzema is back with the team preparing for the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Al Faysali on Sunday, after being stranded in Mauritius after a storm hit the island and missing 15 days of training.