Olympique Lyon is investigating the possibilities of bringing back Karim Benzema, it is known RMC Sports to report on Monday. The 36-year-old attacker is currently under contract with Ittihad Club from Saudi Arabia, but would be open to an interim departure there.

Sources around Lyon emphasize that it will be difficult to attract Benzema. The experienced striker signed with Ittihad Club until mid-2026 and will earn more than 300 million euros during that period. Lyon is unable to meet such salary demands, according to reports from France.

Among other RMC Sports also emphasizes that Ittihad Club has invested heavily in Benzema, who is seen as a figurehead for football in Saudi Arabia. It therefore seems unlikely that the collaboration will be stopped by the ambitious club after six months. In the meantime, the French are pinning their hopes on the good connections between Eagle, the investment company that holds sway at Lyon, and Saudi Arabia.

It became clear last week that there is friction between club and player. Benzema reported to his employer seventeen days late. There was uncertainty for a long time surrounding the super striker, who was on holiday, and his club is furious with the Frenchman.

The former Ballon d'Or winner spent the holidays on Mauritius, an island near Madagascar. He was then supposed to return to his club in Saudi Arabia on January 2, but that did not happen for a long time. Press agency AFP spoke to an anonymous source within the club.

“Benzema was supposed to return from his holiday on January 2, but did not hear from him for no less than ten days. He was unreachable,” the anonymous source reported. As a result, Benzema was removed from the selection last weekend by manager Marcelo Gallardo. There was a rumor that Benzema had been stuck on the island by Cyclone Belal, making it impossible for him to return to his club, but the tropical storm only formed after the striker was supposed to have returned.

It is currently unclear when Benzema will make his return to the selection. According to reports, the Frenchman is 'very unhappy' in Saudi Arabia and it therefore seems possible that he wants to force a departure. The club now wants to talk to Benzema and his agent to discuss the situation. However, the club is not keen on a winter departure.

Grew up near Lyon
Benzema went through Lyon's youth academy and also took his first steps in professional football at the southern French club. After 66 goals in 148 games, the striker was snapped up by Real Madrid, where he was one of the most important players for years. After fourteen years in Spain, Benzema opted for a lucrative adventure at Ittihad Club.

Lyon could really use a striker like Benzema, as the club is currently sixteenth in Ligue 1 and is fighting against relegation. Les Gones managed to score only seventeen times in eighteen competition matches and are therefore among the lowest performers in France.

More sports news