Al-Hilal has begun studying the termination of its relationship with Karim Benzema, amid a growing feeling within the club that the French striker has become a source of crises rather than a calm leader for the project. However, executing this scenario remains tied to signing a new world-class goalscorer.
According to Saudi journalist Ahmed Al-Ajlan, the Al-Hilal administration will not make a final decision regarding Benzema before guaranteeing the arrival of a world-class striker, with several proposed names on the club’s table, led by Nigerian Victor Osimhen.
Anger over Benzema’s actions was renewed after the Al-Faisaly match in the opening round of the Saudi Pro League, despite his contribution to Al-Hilal’s 4-2 victory. He did not accept Simone Inzaghi’s decision to substitute him and visibly displayed his frustration when leaving the pitch.
This was not the first incident to provoke the displeasure of Al-Hilal officials. Recent months have witnessed disagreements related to Benzema’s role within the team and his tactical deployment, along with his desire to hold a special status inside the locker room.
Al-Hilal had tried to find an exit for the French striker during the summer transfer window, but Benzema rejected the proposed offers and insisted on receiving all the remaining financial dues outlined in his contract.
The Ballon d’Or winner is tied to a contract with Al-Hilal until June 2027, having joined the “Boss” last February for a season and a half. Therefore, letting him go now will not be a cost-free process for the club.
If Al-Hilal insists on terminating the contract, the club will be required to pay all the remaining guaranteed money to Benzema, unless the two parties reach a different settlement. Following this, the player would leave for free and become at liberty to choose his next destination without the club benefiting from any financial return.
Al-Hilal places Victor Osimhen at the forefront of its options to replace Benzema, amid reports of moves and contacts with Galatasaray to explore the possibility of signing the Nigerian goalscorer, whose contract with the Turkish champions is still ongoing.
However, the Galatasaray administration denied entering into official negotiations to sell Osimhen and confirmed its insistence on keeping the player, despite rumors of Al-Hilal’s readiness to present a massive financial offer to convince the Turkish club to let him go.
Al-Hilal’s search is not limited to Osimhen alone, as Al-Ajlan confirmed the existence of other attacking names on the table, without revealing their identities or the current stage of those contacts.
