Benzema’s future in Saudi Arabia has been called into question in recent weeks. The former Real Madrid striker has been heavily criticised by the media in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and fans of Al-Ittihad. Fans of the Saudi Pro League club have nicknamed the former Lyon forward “kitty”, according to RMC Sport.

The 36-year-old’s future has been brought into question even further over recent days after he missed training with the club in Jeddah on the 28th and 29th of December. This began to spark rumours about his long-term future in the Gulf State. However, his player’s entourage confirmed that the absence was down to a foot injury when contacted by MARCA.

No discussions with other clubs 

Despite reports that Benzema would have his sights set on a transfer to another Saudi club, no discussions have taken place with any other clubs, Foot Mercato reports. Al-Ittihad are steadfast in their resolve to keep the former France international at the club and have no desire to let him leave the club.

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Spurs are desperate for reinforcements at the heart of defence after having to field four natural full-backs in defence in their 4-2 defeat against Brighton. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have impressed for Spurs this season but have both had their separate issues with injuries and suspension. This has forced the Premier League club to look for reinforcements in January. Todibo was at the top of this list but Nice are in no rush to sell their key players as they look to mount a Ligue 1 title challenge.  

Radu Dragusin now the priority 

With their attempted move for Todibo about to collapse, Spurs have now shifted their focus to Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin (21), according to Fabrizio Romano. Ange Posteciglu has endorsed the move for the Romanian international and Spurs are looking to conduct a move with Genoa as quickly as possible. 

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Luis Henrique arrived in Marseille from Três Passos in 2020 after spending the season on loan at Botafogo. Les Olympiens paid €8m for the 22-year-old. The Brazilian winger struggled to stamp his mark at the Stade Vélodrome and has been deemed surplus to requirements by OM. Botafogo are set to submit an offer to try and secure his services permanently next week. 

Red Bull interest 

The club owned by OL owner John Textor will not have a clear run at securing his services. According to Foot Mercato, Red Bull Bragantino are also interested in bringing Luis Henrique back to Brazil. However, the Red Bull club are only interested in a loan move for the Brazilian which could make Botafogo the favourites for his signature. 

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Unexplained absences

The former Real Madrid striker was absent from Al-Ittihad training on the 28th and 29th of December, with no explanation as to why Benzema was not in Jeddah. There has been no official confirmation from the player’s side or the club’s side as to why the 36-year-old was not training with his Al-Ittihad teammates for two successive days. Benzema’s new coach Marcello Gallardo was also tight-lipped on the ongoing situation. 

A reasonable explanation offered by RMC could be the cancellation of Al-Ittihad’s scheduled game against Al-Tai. This match was scheduled to take place on the 30th December but was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. Whilst this may explain his absence, a silence on the official reason remains. 

Heavy criticism from fans

Despite scoring on his debut, Benzema’s performances on the pitch have been underwhelming by the usual standards that he is held to. The former France international has scored 9 goals and registered 5 assists in 15 Saudi Pro League games. These numbers don’t look all that bad considering, however, when compared with Cristiano Ronaldo (19 goals), Aleksandar Mitrovic (16) and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (14 goals) more was expected of him. 

This has led to heavy criticism of the former Lyon striker from Al-Ittihad fans. The 36-year-old has been referred to by fans of the Saudi Pro League champions as “kitty”, according to RMC Sport. A stark contrast to the emblematic symbol of the club which is a tiger. 

A supporter of Al-Ittihad quizzed by AFP also relayed these sentiments, “Benzema let the team down in big matches. He is the captain of the team, but he does not give the impression of being the leader of the team. He seems misguided like he’s in another world.”

Deactivated Instagram

Following a 5-2 thrashing against Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané’s Al-Nassr, Benzema deactivated his official Instagram account. The Champions League winner was often an active presence on Instagram with excellently choreographed videos showing his lavish lifestyle. As a result, his deactivation in the aftermath of the match in which he missed a penalty came as a surprise. 

Underwhelmed employers

Sources close to the club contacted by AFP in Jeddah have commented on the small discontent among leaders at Al-Ittihad over the Frenchman’s performances on the pitch. As a collective, at the time of writing, Benzema’s club only occupy 6th place in the Saudi Pro League – an underperformance considering they won the title in the 2022/23 season. 

The source close to the club revealed they believe “(Benzema) did not achieve the expected results”. The unnamed source also added, “It is true that we expected more from Benzema, but we remain aware of his value as a world-class player. It is not always easy to land in a new championship and shine immediately and it’s perhaps a question of time.”

There appears to be a willingness to allow the Ballon d’Or winner to adapt within the unofficial rhetoric released by the club. However, it appears to be clear that they expected more from the former Madrid man.  

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Lyon’s interest in Benrahma has been known for several days and talks have begun over a potential deal. Any deal completed for the former Brentford attacking midfielder will be difficult due to several intermediaries involved. Benrahma was said to be tempted by the prospect of joining OL, but since OM has joined the race for his signature – they have emerged as favourites.

A potential loan with a purchase option

Any deal which sees Benrahma donning an OM shirt in the second half of the Ligue 1 season is likely to be a difficult one to complete. Les Olympiens’ transfer business will be monitored by the DNCG in the January transfer window. Therefore, a permanent deal in the winter window looks likely. A loan deal with an option to buy looks a more probable option, L’Équipe reports.

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Les Parisiens believe there is a strong chance that Mbappé will agree to extend his time at the Parc des Princes, L’Équipe report. The France international has an option to extend his contract at PSG and the club believe that no new major negotiations will have to take place due to this option being in place. Instead, just a few small details would have to be addressed to conclude an extension of the former Monaco forward’s time in the French capital. 

Mbappé is happy at the club and this instils confidence among Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and other PSG officials that he will extend his time with the Ligue 1 champions. However, there is still Real Madrid to contend with. 

An offer awaits from Real Madrid 

Florentino Perez still plans to bring Kylian Mbappé to Madrid and is his priority for the summer transfer window, according to L’Équipe. The French publication reports that Real Madrid will establish contact over a potential move to the Spanish capital imminently. The Athletic report that this offer will include a timeframe to prevent any of the previous shenanigans from the transfer fiasco in 2022 occurring again. 

A less steadfast approach 

Kylian Mbappé is still wanted by Real Madrid, there is no doubt about that. However, Los Blancos insist that they are no longer obsessed with the prospect of bringing the France captain to the Santiago Bernabéu. L’Équipe reports that the La Liga giants do not see the transfer as integral to their sporting project if they are unable to capture the signature of Mbappé. 

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The North London club had earmarked the former Barcelona defender as their number-one defensive target for the January transfer window. Talks are underway between Spurs and Nice, as revealed by Romano, but it appears no significant progress has been made in the pursuit of the 23-year-old centre-back. Les Aiglons are reluctant to see the French international leave in the winter window as they want to keep their key players amidst a title challenge in Ligue 1.

Genoa’s Radu Dragusin is also a target

Spurs are also considering other targets at centre-back in case they are unable to pull off a move for Todibo. Postecoglu has approved Romanian international defender Radu Dragusin (21) from Genoa as an alternative to the 23-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Lilywhites want to complete a deal for a centre-back next week.

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Since signing for Les Rouges et Noirs in the summer transfer window from Roma, things haven’t gone to plan for Matic in the North of France. The former Chelsea defensive midfielder and his family have not adapted to life in Rennes, prompting the 35-year-old to look towards the exit door in the winter window. 

Lyon are keen to bolster their options in the defensive midfield department in January and the former Manchester United midfielder is seen as their desired profile. The Serbian international has lots of experience and offers a physicality currently lacking from the Les Gones midfield. OL are also showing an interest in Baptiste Santamaria from Rennes, according to L’Équipe.

Stéphan wants Matic to stay

Despite wanting to leave the club, Julien Stéphan would like Nemanja Matic to stay at Roazhon Park, L’Équipe reports. Matic has not formally requested to leave the club but his intentions to move to new surroundings appear to be clear. With Lyon interested in his service but Rennes holding a reluctance to let him leave, it remains to be seen whether OL will get their man in defensive midfield. 

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Rennes paid €20m for the former France U21 striker from PSG in the summer of 2022. Kalimuendo had just announced himself to fans of French football following an impressive two seasons on loan at Lens from Les Parisiens. The 21-year-old has struggled to recapture his Lens form at Rennes. Kalimuendo has scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for Rennes. 

It remains to be seen though if any clubs will attempt to lure the Frenchman away from Roazhon Park in January though despite Rennes’ willingness for a sale.  

Christopher Wooh and Warmed Omari also for sale

Les Rouges et Noirs are also open to selling defensive dup Christopher Wooh (22) and Warmed Omari (23). Wooh, a Cameroonian international, is considered surplus to requirements at Roazhon Park, and Omari is viewed in a similar vein. It remains to be seen whether any active suitors will arrive for the Rennes defensive duo. 

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This failure to sign an attacker in the summer window has made it one of Lille’s top priorities in the winter transfer window. Lille had previously considered Almeria’s Largie Ramazani (22) and Southampton’s Sékou Mara (21) for the role. Mara is still considered for the the January window but at this stage only information has been gathered on the former Bordeaux striker’s current situation on the South coast. 

A potential departure for Jonathan David?

Despite an initial poor run of form from Jonathan David at the start of the 2023/24 season, interest in the Canadian international forward has not wavered. As reported by La Gazetta dello Sport, AC Milan have shown interest in the former Genk striker. According to L’Équipe, a January exit for David cannot be ruled out.  

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