According to Saudi media outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, citing informed sources, Al-Shabab has expressed its willingness to sign French striker Karim Benzema, provided he terminates his contract with Al-Ittihad. The club has also requested assistance from the Saudi Pro League to facilitate the transfer, but Benzema is currently firmly refusing to join Al-Shabab.

Sources say Benzema has told Al-Ittihad that he wishes to remain with the club. Should both parties decide to negotiate a contract termination, he is demanding to receive all payments owed for the remainder of his current contract. His Al-Ittihad contract runs until 30 June 2027.

Asharq Al-Awsat previously reported on 25 August that Benzema's annual salary from his direct Al-Ittihad contract is $25 million. From September this year through the end of June next year, his remaining owed salary is approximately $20.8 million, or around 78.1 million Saudi Riyals.

Additionally, Benzema has an independent contract separate from Al-Ittihad. This contract is funded by the Saudi Pro League's player acquisition programme and is worth approximately $23 million annually, running until 2030, primarily related to Benzema's promotion of Saudi football and related activities.

According to the newspaper, if this contract runs through 30 June 2030, the value of the remaining contract would be approximately 330.6 million Saudi Riyals. The contract also includes a clause stipulating that Benzema cannot play for any club outside Saudi Arabia during the contract period; should he move abroad and sign for a new team, the contract would be immediately terminated.

From an economic perspective, therefore, moving to another Saudi Pro League club is one viable option for Benzema to leave Al-Ittihad while maintaining this contract through 2030. However, Al-Shabab's current approach has been explicitly rejected by the player himself.

Meanwhile, even if Benzema were to change his stance, Al-Shabab faces another precondition to completing a deal. The club must first sell English midfielder Josh Brownhill before proceeding with Benzema's registration and transfer procedures.

Asharq Al-Awsat also stated that Benzema previously declined to be included in Al-Ittihad's squad list for the AFC Champions League Elite.

Currently, Benzema's future options are somewhat limited. On one hand, should he terminate his Al-Ittihad contract, he is insisting on receiving all remaining contract payments. On the other hand, if he wishes to maintain his independent contract running through 2030, he must remain in Saudi football. Although Al-Shabab has expressed its willingness to sign him and sought league assistance, to date Benzema has not wavered from his refusal to join the club.

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