Man Utd ‘seriously interested’ in Benzema but rival club ‘prepare offer to seduce’ the forward

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd-linked Benzema

Man Utd are reportedly ‘seriously interested’ in signing Karim Benzema after the forward has been left feeling ‘disappointed’ by Real Madrid.

It would be a mighty coup if Manchester United managed to sign Benzema.

They certainly need a striker. Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term future at the club remains unclear.

Even if he does decide to stay beyond this season, he is 37 so they will have to find a replacement for him before long.

Ronaldo’s absence leaves Man Utd with just Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to choose from up front. Both have been in good form this term but the latter has struggled with injuries.

Spanish outlet El Nacional are reporting that Benzema is one striker Man Utd are looking at signing.

His current contract at Real Madrid expires next year and they are only willing to offer him a one-year deal.

The Frenchman turns 35 later this year and it is said that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘will not do anything crazy to keep him’.

Benzema is ‘seriously disappointed’ by Real Madrid’s stance and this is said to have opened the door for him to leave.

The forward is said to have ‘many much more succulent offers on the table’. Man Utd and PSG are reportedly both ‘seriously interested’ in him.

But Bayern Munich are ahead of the queue by all the accounts as they are described as being ‘very seriously interested’.

The German side are keen as they did not replace Robert Lewandowski in the summer. They are said to be ‘preparing their offer to seduce’ the experienced forward.

Bayern would offer Benzema a two-year deal and they plan to begin talks at the start of the January transfer window.

This report should be taken with a pinch of salt though as Benzema himself recently stated that he plans to “retire in Real Madrid”.

“I will retire in Real Madrid. There’s no other option for me,” Benzema told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“I have a contract with Real Madrid. I feel good currently. After that? I don’t know, because I am thinking year on year.

“If I feel good, I will continue in football, and if I do not feel good, we will see then.”

Earlier this week, Benzema was named the 2022 winner of the Ballon d’Or. Speaking at the awards ceremony, he said: “To see this prize in front of me makes me really proud. It was a childhood dream for me and all the work I have done, I never gave up.

“I always had in my mind that anything was possible, when I was not in the France team I never stopped working hard.

“I am really proud of my journey here. It was not easy, it was a difficult time and also for my family as well.

“To be standing here today for the first time, I am happy for my work and will keep going.”

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