Man United Reject Chance to Sign Karim Benzema Over Wage Demands
Manchester United has turned down the opportunity to sign Karim Benzema due to his ‘exorbitant’ wage demands, according to recent reports. The Red Devils, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table, have been struggling to score goals this season. With the news of Anthony Martial’s 10-week absence following groin surgery, the club was left with only Rasmus Hojlund as their fit recognized striker. Benzema, who currently plays in the Saudi Pro League, was considered as a potential option for United. However, the club cited concerns over the 36-year-old’s hefty annual salary of £86 million and potential violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules as reasons for their decision.
Benzema recently made a move to Saudi side Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer. Despite his impressive record of 12 goals in 20 appearances, his team is currently struggling, sitting seventh in the league table due to a poor run of form. The striker has also faced controversy after being excluded from the squad for returning from a holiday 17 days late. Al-Ittihad had expected him to report back on January 2 ahead of the side’s mid-season training camp. However, he became unreachable for 10 days, leading to his exclusion from the trip to Dubai by manager Marcelo Gallardo. Benzema continues to prepare on his own for the league’s resumption on February 7.
The rejection of Benzema comes as another blow for United, who had also decided not to extend Martial’s £250,000-a-week contract. This decision allows the Frenchman to leave the club as a free agent, marking the end of his United career after nine years. Martial’s transfer from Monaco cost £36 million, with the deal potentially reaching £58 million including add-ons. The forward has scored 90 goals in 317 games for United, but his career has been plagued by injuries.
The news of United’s refusal to sign Benzema and the departure of Martial will undoubtedly be unsettling for the club’s fans. With their current struggle to find the back of the net, the team will need to explore other options to strengthen their attacking lineup. As the transfer window continues, all eyes will be on United to see how they address their goal-scoring issues and improve their league standing.
In the midst of uncertainty, United fans can take solace in the recent takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which has brought a more active approach to the club’s transfer activities. The hope is that this fresh initiative will bring about positive changes and renewed possibilities for the team’s future.
As the interest and needs of United’s global audience continue to be a top priority, the club’s management will be working diligently to navigate these challenges. Ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards, United aims to overcome their current obstacles and emerge stronger as the season progresses.
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