Karim Benzema will reportedly be staying with Al-Ittihad until at least the summer despite the widespread speculation surrounding his future this month.
The 36-year-old surprisingly decided against signing a new contract with Real Madrid last year in order to make the move to Saudi Arabia, penning a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad.
Benzema has scored 12 times and registered five assists in 20 appearances for his current side during the 2023-24 campaign, including nine goals and five assists in 15 Saudi Pro League outings.
There has been a host of speculation surrounding the forward during the January market, though, amid claims that he was keen to return to European football.
Former clubs Lyon and Real Madrid have been linked with moves, while there were also claims of Premier League interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
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However, according to The Athletic, Benzema will remain with Al-Ittihad beyond the end of the winter transfer window, with the forward happy to continue in Saudi Arabia.
The Frenchman 'was absent from team duties' during the Saudi Arabia mid-season break, but he is now back with the squad and set to be involved in their next match on Sunday in the King's Cup.
Al-Ittihad were last in action on December 26, suffering a 5-2 defeat to Al-Nassr, and they currently sit down in seventh position in the Saudi Pro League table, 25 points behind leaders Al-Hilal.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United are all in the market for new strikers, and Benzema had seemingly emerged as a genuine option for the three clubs on a loan basis.
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However, the forward's significant wages, believed to be in the region of £88m a year, always made a short-term deal unlikely due to the significant cost.
Benzema recently played down reports that he was looking to move on this month, telling reporters: "It's completely false! The French media don't know what to invent any more. The bigger the better."
Meanwhile, his brother denied rumours of a potential return to Real Madrid before the end of the window.
Benzema scored 354 goals and registered 165 assists in 648 appearances for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2023, including 31 goals during the 2022-23 campaign, but he turned down the chance to renew his contract at Bernabeu for a fresh challenge.
Matt Law
