Karim Benzema LEAVES Real Madrid after glittering 14-year spell amid massive Saudi Arabia transfer offer
KARIM BENZEMA has left Real Madrid following a glittering 14-year spell, the Spanish club have confirmed.
The Frenchman is expected to sign a megabucks deal to join the Saudi Pro League.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side this morning revealed that they had agreed to cancel their skipper’s contract a year early.
In an official statement, they confirmed: “Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club.
“Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends.”
Benzema, 35, has reportedly received a staggering £342million contract offer to play for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner is expected to pen a two-year deal to play in the Kingdom.
In addition to his playing contract, Benzema is expected to receive extra fees to promote Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid.
Real Madrid will host an “act of tribute and farewell” on Tuesday, with club president Florentino Perez in attendance.
Benzema won four LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues and three Copa del Reys during his time at Santiago Bernabeu.
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He scored 353 goals in 647 appearances for the Spanish giants, also laying on 165 assists.
Al-Ittihad, managed by former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr to the league title this season.
Madrid boss Ancelotti has reportedly demanded to sign Harry Kane as Benzema’s replacement.
According to The Athletic, Real are among the clubs keeping tabs on the star striker after Ancelotti declared his interest during showdown talks with the club’s hierarchy.
Kane has 12 months remaining on his Spurs contract, and is also a top target of Manchester United.
SunSport revealed earlier this week that Kane wants to stay in the Premier League, and will stay at Spurs if he cannot move to Old Trafford.
Tottenham are open to selling Kane to a foreign club, but this does not currently interest the striker, who is eager to break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goalscoring record.
Shearer bagged 260 Prem goals, with Kane currently second in the all-time standings on 213, having recently overtaken Wayne Rooney’s final tally of 208.