According to rumours, Karim Benzema has requested a meeting with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in March because he fears losing his starting spot if Erling Haaland leaves this summer.
Benzema and Perez
This season, the French striker has been in outstanding form, scoring 24 goals in 28 games for Real, who are six points clear at the top of LaLiga and preparing for a Champions League last-16 match against PSG later this month. Meanwhile, Perez’s Real are looking to reinforce their attack this summer, and have been linked with moves for Haaland and fellow forward Kylian Mbappe of PSG.
According to French news outlet Onze, Benzema is concerned about the possibility of Borussia Dortmund star Haaland joining the team this summer and wants to speak with the team next month to clarify his position.
Haaland has also been in outstanding form in Germany, scoring 23 goals in 20 games for the Ruhr-land club. This summer, a £67 million release clause in the Norwegian striker’s contract will be activated, attracting attention from Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants are also likely to make another proposal for Kylian Mbappe this summer, after two unsuccessful bids of £137 million and £154 million last year. Mbappe is available on a free transfer after failing to extend his contract with PSG, which expires at the end of June.
About Benzema Return
Meanwhile, Benzema has a contract with Real Madrid that runs through the summer of 2023, but he is unlikely to command a high transfer cost considering his age and position in the game.
Benzema’s former agent, Karim Djaziri, told Inside Gones that despite his near-legendary position at Real, the forward wants to return to Lyon, where his professional football career began, at some point.
Will Karim Benzema return to Lyon? Yes, I think he wants to,’ Djaziri said. ‘He talks to me constantly and he watches the team’s matches.
‘On top of that, he has never been to the Groupama Stadium and in his mind, it is something he wants, he has Lyon in his heart. There is everything at OL for Karim. He does not want to come back to Lyon and not have the legs.
‘He is torn between leaving the biggest club in the world and returning to Lyon, it is a question of timing. In his dreams, he has to come back to Lyon and do great things. Wearing the armband with young people nearby, that can be magic.’
