BOMBSHELL: Benzema to leave Al-Hilal

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17/08/26 21:00:00

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Karim Benzema, a 38-year-old forward, could become a free agent before the end of the summer after Al-Hilalput him in the transfer market. Simone Inzaghi wants to free up his spot, and the Frenchman demands to be paid in full for the last year of his contract, which ends on June 30, 2027, to accept the termination.

The operation doesn't solely depend on the club. Part of Benzema's contract conditions are linked to the financing system of Saudi Arabia football, so any early termination also requires an agreement with the league officials.

Karim Benzema requests payment for his final year to leave

The main obstacle lies in the departure conditions. Karim Benzema aims to receive the whole amount agreed for the 2026-27 season before giving up his contract, a demand not convincing either Al-Hilal leaders or the Saudi League authorities.

The figures illustrate the challenge to reach an agreement. The Frenchman is under contract until June 2027, and reports on his contract indicate earnings of around 50 million euros per season. Paying the full amount for his last season would entail accepting a significant portion of his salary despite letting him go.

Benzema joined Al-Hilal in February 2026 as a free agent after terminating his agreement with Al-Ittihad. The forward had scored 16 goals in 21 matches during the first part of the season before switching teams in Saudi Arabia.

The situation has changed just six months later. Simone Inzaghi aims to revamp the attack, and the departure of the Frenchman would free up both a foreign player spot and essential salary budget for another signing in the final weeks of the market.

Al-Hilal eyes Ollie Watkins as replacement

The chosen name to fill Benzema's position is Ollie Watkins. Al-Hilal has targeted the Aston Villa forward as a priority and is already working to understand the necessary conditions for his transfer. This is not the first time they have tried to part ways with Benzema.

Watkins has reportedly agreed to negotiate a move to Saudi Arabia, although Riyadh's club must first resolve Karim Benzema's situation. The high salary of the Frenchman limits the financial room available to pursue the English forward.

The deal makes the exit of the former Real Madrid player necessary in Simone Inzaghi's planning. Until there is an agreement on the outstanding money for the final year, the club will face difficulties in definitively advancing the Watkins deal in the market's final stretch.

The upcoming discussions will focus on finding an acceptable financial arrangement for all parties involved. Karim Benzema maintains his request to be paid fully for the 2026-27 season, while Al-Hilal tries to decrease the rescission cost before accelerating towards Watkins in the market's closing phase.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, BOMBAZO: Benzema a punto de irse del Al-Hilal