Karim Benzema is reportedly not opposed to the idea of joining Manchester City if he is forced to leave Real Madrid next summer.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Manchester City have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Karim Benzema. The Real Madrid talisman is open to the idea of making a switch to the Etihad if he is to call it quits at the Santiago Bernabeu in next summer’s transfer window.
Karim Benzema has been with Real Madrid for over a decade, having arrived at the club from Lyon in July 2009. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, establishing himself as one of the best strikers of his generation. And the Frenchman has been an especially talismanic figure for Los Blancos since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018.
Benzema has been the leading figure for Real Madrid in the last three years, doing the bulk of the goalscoring for his side while winning many points singlehandedly. And 2021/22 is proving to be his best season to date, with the 33-year-old amassing 16 goals and eight assists in 18 outings across all competitions.
However, recent reports have suggested that Benzema’s future at Real Madrid might not be set in stone, especially with widespread rumours linking Erling Haaland with the Spanish giants. And such a situation has reportedly piqued the interest of Karim Benzema.
The Premier League champions unsuccessfully attempted to sign a striker in the summer transfer window after chasing Harry Kane for weeks before the England captain stayed put at Tottenham. While the absence of a striker has not been telling thus far this season for Manchester City, there are situations wherein a natural centre-forward can come into use and make all the difference.
So, it is hardly surprising that the Citizens have been heavily linked with several strikers in recent weeks, with Benzema emerging as a viable target, especially considering the rumours about Haaland. With his Real Madrid contract expiring in a little over 18 months, he could also be signed on a cut-price fee, thereby making him even more attractive an option for Manchester City.
Now, the English giants have been handed a major boost in pursuit of Benzema, who is open to the prospect of making his way to the Etihad next summer if he is to leave Real Madrid. At the same time, the 33-year-old will not rule out joining Paris Saint-Germain either, with the Ligue 1 heavyweights also keen on signing him.
So, an intriguing summer transfer window could beckon Benzema, with his Real Madrid future highly uncertain. It remains to be seen if either Manchester City or PSG can land the French international next summer.
