Karim Benzema, the Ballon d’Or winner for Real Madrid, has agreed to a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
The announcement comes the day after coach Carlo Ancelotti declared there was “no doubt” Benzema’s future lay in the Spanish capital, and days after Real Madrid revealed the 35-year-old was leaving the club after 14 seasons.
“Benzema has signed a contract for his transfer to Al-Ittihad for a three-year period starting next season,” a Saudi club source told AFP.
If the move is confirmed, Benzema will join his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom after the five-time world player of the year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following last year’s World Cup.
Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi delegation plans to meet Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of completing the signing as soon as possible.
Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon.
He made 648 appearances for Madrid and is second on Real’s all-time goalscoring list with 354 — only Ronaldo has more.
He has lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid.
Midfielder Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Croatia, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris of Tottenham, and teammate N’Golo Kante of France are also on the list. All of them are nearing the conclusion of their careers.
The nation that produces the most oil in the world hopes to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 and is relying on sport to help it shed its stern reputation, which has led to accusations of “sportswashing” from rights organizations.
On Tuesday, Real will bid goodbye to Benzema at a ceremony.