Manchester United are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Al-Ittihad centre-forward Karim Benzema on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.
The 36-year-old left Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer to move to the Saudi Pro League, and he has represented Al-Ittihad on 20 occasions, scoring 12 goals and registering five assists in the process.
Benzema has managed nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances in the Saudi Pro League this season, but Al-Ittihad are down in seventh position in the table, 25 points behind the leaders Al-Hilal.
Al-Ittihad will not be back in action until the start of February, but there has been doubt over Benzema's involvement in his side's upcoming tour of Dubai.
According to journalist Javier Parra Pena, Man United are keeping a close eye on Benzema's situation, with the Red Devils exploring the possibility of signing him on loan for the rest of the season.
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Ex-Man United forward Louis Saha recently called on the 20-time English champions to move for Benzema.
"He [Benzema] will shake up the United frontline and that's what they need. He will definitely score goals and he will link up the play a lot better," Saha told Betting Odds.
"It's just a dream, but Karim is still a very professional guy, he's the type of striker that [Rasmus] Hojlund will learn from, but that's just a fantasy."
Benzema scored 354 goals and registered 165 appearances in 648 appearances for Real Madrid before surprisingly ending his time at the club for a new challenge.
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The former France international won four La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey crowns and five Champions League trophies during a highly successful period at Bernabeu.
Benzema scored 31 times in all competitions during the 2022-23 campaign and had been expected to sign a new deal for the current campaign, but Al-Ittihad tempted him with a huge contract.
Man United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his club are open to making loan signings this month, with the Red Devils currently short of options at centre-forward, with Anthony Martial unavailable for selection.
Martial is out of contract this summer, meanwhile, and his departure would leave Hojlund, who has scored just once in the Premier League this season, as the club's only senior option at centre-forward.
Hojlund is the team's joint-leading goalscorer this season with six alongside Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, while Alejandro Garnacho is next in the standings with five.
