CORNERFLICK
Benzema rejects move away from Al Hilal
Karim Benzema has reportedly turned down Al Hilal’s proposal to join one of the newly promoted Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, according to Saudi newspaper Al Riyadhiya.
The French forward, who joined Al Hilal in January after leaving Al Ittihad, has delivered nine goals and five assists in 13 matches for the club.
Squad limits create pressure
Al Hilal are trying to cut their number of foreign players because Saudi Pro League rules allow only eight overseas registrations in the domestic squad list. The club currently has 14 foreign players on its books.
That list includes new signing Crisenzio Somerville, Yassine Bounou, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Theo Hernandez, Simon Boubri, Mohamed Kader Mitie, Matteo Patoi, Malcom, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Yusuf Akcicek and Darwin Nunez.
Benzema has said he will only consider leaving if he receives all of his salary for the final year of his contract and a formal release. Al Hilal would face a heavy financial burden if it agreed to those terms, with the club then needing to pay his full wages for next season as well.