Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal club is seeking to end the journey of French striker Karim Benzema with the team during the current summer transfer window, in light of the technical staff’s desire to make changes to the attacking line.
According to media reports, the team's Italian coach, Simone Inzaghi, has asked Al-Hilal's management to work on Benzema's departure and to sign a new striker who can lead the team's front line in the next stage.
The Saudi club's management has placed English striker Ollie Watkins, a former Aston Villa player and top scorer in the English Premier League, among the top options to replace Benzema, with reports indicating a preliminary agreement with the player regarding the personal terms of the contract.
But Benzema’s departure does not seem easy, due to the financial and legal complexities associated with his contract with Al-Hilal, as the player receives part of his dues through the authorities overseeing the Saudi League system, which makes terminating the contract in need of coordination and official approvals.
Benzema insists on receiving his full financial entitlements for the last season of his contract in exchange for agreeing to terminate the relationship amicably, a condition that has not yet been approved by Al-Hilal and the Saudi League Association.
All parties are continuing negotiations to reach a suitable formula that will allow Al-Hilal to register its new striker before the transfer window closes, while Benzema's future with the club remains uncertain pending developments in the coming days.
