In a major setback for Premier League clubs, Karim Benzema is nearing a transfer away from Saudi Arabia.



Somewhat unexpectedly, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/benzema-announces-his-international-retirement-20221219-WST-412756.html">Benzema</a> departed Real Madrid for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saudi-pro-league-executive-ronaldo-and-benzema-just-the-start-20230806-WST-448290.html">Saudi Pro League</a> last summer. Nonetheless, his experience in the Middle East has been nothing short of unpleasant.



Even with 12 goals for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/no-exit-benzemas-lawyer-reveals-reason-for-al-ittihad-absence-20240119-WST-484309.html">Al-Ittihad</a>, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has taken heat for his play. The whole Al-Ittihad team is doing poorly, and the defending champions are putting up a terrible fight in defense of their title.



They are now in seventh place in the league. That contributes to why the 36-year-old is plotting his way out after just six months in the Middle East.



<h2>Seventeen days too late</h2>



Allegedly practicing alone in Saudi Arabia, Benzema continues to be banished from the Al-Ittihad group. As he is ready to return from vacation 17 days late, his colleagues are getting ready to resume the Saudi Pro League season.



His team was counting on the French striker to return on Jan. 2 in preparation for their midseason training camp. As a result, the French forward’s behavior enraged his team.



It took Al-Ittihad ten days to get in touch with him, according to French news outlet <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240119-benzema-returns-to-furious-saudi-club-17-days-late" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">France 24</a>. This has led manager Marcelo Gallardo to leave him out of the squad’s trip to Dubai.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/16050301/Benzema-Premier-League-1200x670-1200x670.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-485199" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/liga-arabia-saudi/2024/01/23/65aeb3d1e2704ea1378b45a2.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a> adds that the veteran ace will be training alone until the league resumes on Feb. 7. Benzema had justified his delay by claiming that a hurricane had struck the island of Mauritius, where he was on vacation.



But the fact that he skipped three training sessions before the year ended, however, had already infuriated his side. This follows rumors that the 36-year-old may be leaving the club soon.



<h2>No Premier League move?</h2>



Transfer talk involving the 36-year-old to the Premier League have been circulating for some time. Reports have indicated that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-eyes-shock-swoop-benzema-and-firmino-on-radar-20240115-WST-483524.html">both Arsenal and Chelsea</a> are looking to add a new striker to their rosters.



But now, Mikel Arteta and Mauricio Pochettino’s transfer dreams of luring the ex-France international have taken a hit. Many sources are reporting that the ‘prodigal son’ may be considering a return to Lyon.



The Ligue 1 underachievers have had a rough season, and they now lie in 16th place out of 18 teams. Expert on transfers <a href="https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1749691940881232167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1749691940881232167%7Ctwgr%5E1bf9d08d842ad67720447e652a2269a5644581fd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.essentiallysports.com%2Fsoccer-football-news-karim-benzema-to-lyon-ligue-club-eyes-ex-real-madrid-icon-as-potential-signing-after-his-failed-saudi-league-stint%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ekrem Konur</a> reports that negotiations have taken place to bring the striker back to the club where he spent his formative years.



And <a href="https://twitter.com/FabriceHawkins/status/1749365690958541131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMC Sport writer Fabrice Hawkins</a> and <a href="https://theathletic.com/5182930/2024/01/22/karim-benzema-transfer-lyon-saudi-arabia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Atheltic</a> report that the Ligue 1 club would love to have the striker back. The 36-year-old is eager to rejoin Lyon because he is confident in his ability to perform at the top level.



Having come up through Lyon’s junior system, he appeared in 148 games for Les Gones, scoring 66 goals. Nonetheless, the transfer will not be a picnic.



Financial considerations may make Benzema’s return to Europe difficult. The reason for this might be because Benzema inked a three-year contract worth more than $200 million with the Dammam-based team.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Major setback for Premier League as Benzema nears Saudi exit

In a major setback for Premier League clubs, Karim Benzema is reportedly nearing a transfer away from Saudi Arabia.

Marcelo Gallardo has reportedly agreed to become the next manager of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> side Al-Ittihad. The Middle Eastern club previously sacked Nuno Espirito Santo earlier in the month after a poor run of form. Al-Ittihad sat sixth in the standings when they fired the former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/wolves-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Wolves</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> manager.



Gallardo is set to now get the chance to right the ship at the club. The Argentine, however, will have a wait a bit to guide his new team on the pitch. Much like Europe, the Saudi top flight is also currently on an international break. Al-Ittihad does not play again for over a week.



TyC Sports is reporting that Gallardo has accepted Al-Ittihad’s offer and will soon travel to Saudi Arabia to make the deal official. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirms the upcoming move. The Argentine coach is set to sign a one-and-a-half-year deal with his new club. There is also an option to extend Gallardo’s stay in Saudi Arabia by another 18 months as well. 



<h2>Argentine coach brings impressive record to Middle East</h2>



Gallardo previously featured as an attacking midfielder during his playing career. He initially starred for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/river-plate-tv-schedule/">River Plate</a> and French side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/monaco-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Monaco</a> before making moves to other clubs around the world. One of these stops included a one-year deal with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> team <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/dc-united-tv-schedule/">D.C. United</a> in 2008.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/16053157/Benzema-Saudi-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-470319" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>After a hugely successful run with River Plate, Gallardo will oversee the talents at Al-Ittihad, including Karim Benzema. </figcaption></figure>



After retiring from the pitch, Gallardo quickly transitioned into coaching. He was hired by Uruguayan side Nacional as head coach just days after retiring as a player. The new manager led the team to the title in his first season at the helm.



Despite leaving Nacional after just one year, famed Argentine club River Plate appointed Gallardo in 2014. The young coach was a resounding success at his old outfit. Gallardo collected a host of trophies during his eight years with the club. River Plate won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/superliga-argentina-tv-schedule/">Argentine Primera Division</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-libertadores-tv-schedule/">Copa Libertadores</a>, Copa Argentina, Supercopa Argentina, and Copa Sudamericana titles during Gallardo’s reign as manager.



<h2>Gallardo makes Saudi Pro League move despite preference for European job</h2>



Gallardo <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/marcelo-gallardo-set-to-take-over-al-ittihad-20231115-BUS-85488.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> wanted to make a move to Europe after departing River Plate in late 2022. The coach even supposedly rejected opportunities in MLS, Brazil, and Mexico. Nevertheless, the right chance did not come for the manager. Instead, Gallardo will now join some high-profile players in the Middle East.



Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho all joined the Saudi side earlier this summer. The two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a> internationals were the first stars to agree contracts with Al-Ittihad in early July. Fabinho then united with the Frenchman a few weeks later in a $50 million move from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>. Portuguese playmaker Jota and former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-betis-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Real Betis</a> defender Luiz Felipe also signed on with the club as well.



Despite bringing in a plethora of new stars, Al-Ittihad has struggled a bit so far this season. After winning their first four league matches of the campaign, the club then only collected two victories in their next eight games. This was when team brass decided to fire Nuno Espirito Santo.



Gallardo will likely be at the helm for their next game later next week. Al-Ittihad next faces Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, Nov. 23.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Marcelo Gallardo joins Benzema and Kante in Saudi Pro League

Former River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo has reportedly agreed to become the next head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

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Major setback for Premier League as Benzema nears Saudi exit

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Marcelo Gallardo joins Benzema and Kante in Saudi Pro League