Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema should he decide to move on from the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to a report from El Nacional, Manchester City are keen on signing Karim Benzema and have even contacted his representatives about a potential move away from Real Madrid in the summer.
Benzema has been with Real Madrid for over a decade and has established himself as a bonafide club legend. In 576 appearances for Los Blancos, the 33-year-old has plundered 294 goals and 152 assists. Having been under the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo for large parts of his stint in Spain, the French international has been Los Blancos‘ best player in the past three years.
Benzema has been in red-hot form in the ongoing campaign as well, having already plundered 15 goals and eight assists from 17 matches across all competitions. However, since he will be turning 34 next month, Real Madrid will have to start planning for the future even though the Frenchman is currently untouchable in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI.
Plans are afoot to sign Kylian Mbappe in the summer of next year, and the Frenchman is expected to arrive to strengthen the right flank. Florentino Perez is also intent on signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, but the Norwegian international would only consider joining the club if he were the first-choice central striker.
At the same time, Benzema would not settle for being the second-choice, meaning the Frenchman may end up being sacrificed in favour of the 21-year-old Haaland with an eye on the long-term future. This situation has alerted Manchester City, who are in the market for a new centre-forward.
The Premier League champions lost Sergio Aguero last summer as the Argentine moved to Barcelona after his contract expired. Pep Guardiola’s side spent the entire summer window chasing Harry Kane, but a transfer did not materialise. And, while there have been reports of the Cityzens rekindling their interest in Kane, Benzema has also emerged as a target.
The report further adds that Manchester City have also contacted the Frenchman’s camp to explore the possibility of a move and have received positive feedback. The veteran star is believed to be keen on testing himself in the Premier League while he would also get to be a part of a winning project on hefty wages. A move, however, would depend on how Real Madrid’s pursuit of Haaland pans out.
