Al Ittihad superstar Karim Benzema is reportedly trying to convince a certain Manchester United star and former Real Madrid teammate of his to join in him Saudi Arabia.
Brazil star Neymar and Morocco shot-stopper Yassine Bono have become the latest names to arrive in the Gulf nation, with the pair joining Al Hilal in €90 million (R1.8 billion) and €21 million (R435 million) deals, respectively, this week.
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With the country's transfer window set to close only on 20 September, according to Sky Sports, several more deals could still happen before deadline day.
With Al Ittihad having already bolstered their team with the signings of Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota, the club is reportedly looking to sign a new centre-back after their captain Ahmed Hegazi suffered an ACL injury, leaving him sidelined for a few months.
According to Saudi publication SportKSA, manager Nuno Espirito Santo has since asked the club to terminate Hegazi's contract as he feels the Egypt international is unlikely to return to top form once he recovers.
As such, the former Tottenham Hotspur coach wants another foreign defender, with Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos said to be his top target.
However, French outlet Sports Zone now reports that Benzema is pushing for the club to sign fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane from United instead.
It is claimed that both the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner and Kante want the move to happen, and that the Jeddah outfit has already made contact with Varane's representatives.
However, the 30-year-old is said to have declined the approach, with his priority being to stay in Europe for at least another season.
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The centre-back's contract at Old Trafford is only due to expire in June 2025, and he remains an established starter under manager Erik ten Hag.
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