Real Madrid players share lovely moments with their lovely children to celebrate International Children’s Day
Karim Benzema close to joining Al Ittihad
Karim Benzema is reportedly on the verge of joining Al Ittihad, with a source close to the club stating that the arrangement is almost complete.
If he completes the deal, the Frenchman would make more than €100 million annually over the course of his two-year contract. However, there has been no formal communication between the two sides, so Madrid are still in the dark about his choice.
Al Ittihad is set to secure the signing of the veteran striker on a free transfer as his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer. Initially, he had intentions to extend his contract with Madrid, but a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia has caused him to reconsider.
According to recent rumors, Benzema will receive a staggering amount of over €200 million for two seasons, along with complete ownership of his image rights, advertising revenue, and the prestigious role as an ambassador for the 2030 World Cup.
The Saudi government has fulfilled all of Benzema's requests, leaving the player with little temptation to leave Madrid at the end of the current season. He has even discussed the Saudi league and living in the Middle East with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Although the agreement is close to being finalized, if Madrid manages to convince Benzema to stay, the announcement may be delayed for several days or even weeks.
The players at Al Ittihad are already eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Ballon d'Or winner, Benzema, with Helder Costa stating, "We are thrilled about the prospect of having him with us."
In terms of potential replacements, Madrid has identified a few candidates, with Harry Kane being Carlo Ancelotti's top choice, as per reports. However, acquiring Kane will come at a significant cost of over €100 million, as Daniel Levy, the owner of Tottenham Hotspur, is unwilling to let him go without a fight.
