Olympique Lyon Hoping to Capitalize on Karim Benzema’s Troubles at Al Ittihad To Sign Their Former Player on a Short-Term Loan Transfer
After being left off the squad list for Al Ittihad’s mid-season training camp in Dubai, Benzema reportedly wants to leave the club on a loan deal, and his old club, Olympique Lyon, is interested in his services.
The 36-year-old one-time Ballon d’Or winner is on a three-year contract with Al Ittihad after joining in the summer from Real Madrid. He started his football career at Lyon, where he began at age nine and went on to win three titles before his Madrid move.
While Benzema has yet to ask the club to let him leave expressly, his omission from the training camp is the latest in a string of misfortunes that have befallen him since he joined the Saudi Pro League, defending champions.
The former French international took a holiday break last week without express permission from anyone at the club. His representatives and the player are expected to meet with club officials to clarify his stance and reach a conclusion that suits both parties.
Benzema has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Al Ittihad this season, scoring 12 goals. Despite that, he’s faced criticism from the fans about his attitude. Having joined the SPL side in an elaborate unveiling ceremony, the fans expected a lot from a player who was the reigning Ballon d’Or holder at the time.
Lyon have struggled on the pitch this season and are already on their third manager. They are 16th in the standings, two points clear of the relegation positions. Their struggles also extend to their financial position, and they would struggle to match the wages Karim Benzema is on at Al Ittihad. A possible deal will depend on a lot of goodwill from the Saudi Pro League side.
