Karim Benzema has asked to 'temporarily' leave Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad after 'being excluded from training'… as striker also 'refuses potential loan move to a league rival'

Reports claim that Karim Benzema is seeking an exit from Saudi Arabia
Benzema has been linked with a return to Lyon amid his unrest at Al-Ittihad
Be careful what you wish for Palace fans! Do you want to become a yo-yo club? It’s All Kicking Off

By James Cohen For Mailonline

Karim Benzema has reportedly asked to ‘temporarily’ leave Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Benzema remains exiled from the Al-Ittihad squad, reportedly training alone while his teammates prepare for the resumption of the Saudi Pro League season after returning from holiday 17 days late.

Reports from France now claim that the former Real Madrid striker has requested to leave the club after feeling ‘under pressure’ at Al-Ittihad.

According to AFP, Al-Ittihad have since offered to a loan to another team in the Saudi championship, however the idea was refused by Benzema.

The 2022 Ballon d’or winner incensed his current employers, who were expecting to him to report back on January 2 ahead the side’s mid-season training camp. A source close to the club told France 24 that they had been unable to reach him for 10 days.

Karim Benzema is currently out in the cold after returning from holiday 17 days later than agreed

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According to Marca, as a result, Benzema has been omitted from the trip to Dubai by manager Marcelo Gallardo and continues to gear up for the league’s resumption on February 7 on his own.

The outlet claim that the 36-year-old had insisted that his tardiness was due to a cyclone that hit the island of Mauritius where he had been holidaying. However, Al-Ittihad were already angered by his absence from three training sessions prior to end of last year.

The news comes amid reports of the 36-year-old making a quick exit from the club and completing a fairytale return to his boyhood club Lyon this month.

More to follow…

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Karim Benzema has asked to ‘temporarily’ leave Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad after ‘being excluded from training’… as striker also ‘refuses potential loan move to a league rival’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!

: Karim Benzema has asked to ‘temporarily’ leave Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad after ‘being excluded from training’… as striker also ‘refuses potential loan move to a league rival’

:
Karim Benzema has asked to ‘temporarily’ leave Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad after ‘being excluded from training’… as striker also ‘refuses potential loan move to a league rival’