Forward Karim Benzema agrees to a contract extension with Real Madrid… to the disappointment of potential suitors, including Manchester United, who have their eye on the Ballon d’Or winner.
- The Frenchman has been at the club since 2009 and will stay for another year
- Manchester United are believed to have been considering the former free agent
- The search for Spurs’ Harry Kane will be United’s main focus on the forward market
Karim Benzema has dealt potential suitors a heavy blow with the news that he will stay at Real Madrid until 2024, having agreed a contract extension with the Spanish giants.
The Ballon d’Or winner, who has been at Los Blancos since 2009 and would have been out of contract in the summer, is reported to have “verbally agreed” to the extension ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Liverpool. , according to L’Equipe.
Benzema has been a club stalwart since arriving in the Spanish capital from Lyon fourteen years ago, but his career was further polished after Cristiano Ronaldo’s €116m transfer to Juventus in 2018.
The Frenchman, who returned to his country in 2021 after a six-year absence, has made 632 appearances for his club in all competitions, scoring 341 goals.
A sensational season in 2021/22, capped with a historic 14th Champions League win against Liverpool at the Stade de France, made Benzema the fifth French player to win the Ballon d’Or.
Karim Benzema is set to continue his storied career at Spanish giants Real Madrid
The Frenchman is the current holder of the prestigious Ballon d’Or award
While his continuation at Real Madrid may not surprise some, clubs that had been following Benzema’s shrinking contract will be disappointed that they can no longer sign a player of his quality for free.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United were rumored to be interested in last season’s Champions League top scorer as they continue to search for the right man to lead the line following Ronaldo’s ignominious departure in the transfer window of January.
Wout Weghourst, who has scored twice for the Red Devils since his loan in the same window, is not seen by the club as a long-term option.
It was believed that the Manchester club’s efforts will now shift to their search for Harry Kane.
England captain Harry Kane will likely be Manchester United’s main target for a striker.
The Tottenham striker was closely watched by rivals Manchester City in 2021 but is unlikely to be considered again by the club after the Abu Dhabi-backed club opted for goalscorer Erling Haaland in the summer of 2022.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly against selling a Premier League rival, and recent reports have pointed out that United may be ‘cautious’ in trying to nab Kane due to their unwillingness to deal. with the executive
but in a FIVE In a podcast appearance on Monday, United legend Rio Ferdinand urged his former club to stay the course with the England captain as he believes Kane could have the “chance” to win silver in Old Trafford.
For their part, Spurs are believed to have started talks to convince the striker to stay, despite facing another trophy-less season in north London.