Benzema on the market: Al-Hilal rescinds contract with French striker
The saga has come to an end. Al-Hilal officially confirmed on Monday the termination of their contract with forward Karim Benzema.
At 38, the French star, who was under contract with the Saudi club until 2027, is now free to negotiate with any team without the need for a transfer fee.
The decision to end Benzema‘s tenure with the Saudi side appears to be aligned with the plans of manager Simone Inzaghi.
Recently, Al-Hilal confirmed the signing of Englishman Ollie Watkins, formerly of Aston Villa, who arrives to fill the vacancy left by the experienced center-forward.
Departure and consequences
Benzema‘s exit from Al-Hilal opens up a range of possibilities for the player, who can now seek a new destination for his career.
The possibility of a return to European football or continuing in the Saudi League with another club remain open scenarios.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, remains active in the transfer market.
There are reports that the club is trying to advance negotiations for the signing of Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli, currently at Arsenal. This move demonstrates the club’s ambition to strengthen its squad.
A brief stint at Al-Hilal
Signed by Al-Hilal at the beginning of this year, Karim Benzema had agreed to a long-term contract valid until June 2027.
Prior to that, the striker wore the jersey of rivals Al-Ittihad starting in the 2023/24 season, ending a glorious 14-year cycle at Real Madrid.
During his time at Al-Hilal, Benzema appeared in 14 matches, finding the back of the net 10 times and contributing nine assists.
Despite the positive individual numbers, the early termination indicates that the club’s and the player’s objectives did not fully align.
Benzema‘s availability on the market is undoubtedly the most impactful news, fueling speculation about what will be the next chapter in the career of one of the most renowned strikers of the last decade.
The coming days will be crucial in defining the future of the French star.
M360 Team
