Real Madrid And Man United Keen To Sign Karim Benzema On Loan After Al-Ittihad Striker Goes AWOL

Karim Benzema is said to be wanted by Manchester United, Real Madrid and Lyon on loan after the Al-Ittihad striker reportedly went AWOL in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema could be set to return to Europe this month after going AWOL in Saudi Arabia.

Benzema joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer from Real Madrid in June last year before being appointed as captain of the Saudi Pro League side.

The 36-year-old has since scored 15 goals in 24 appearances for Al-Ittihad but he is now said to be unsettled.

According to Marca, Benzema failed to report to his club's training center on Friday, leading to manager Marcelo Gallardo omitting the player from his squad for this month's mid-season trip to Dubai.

It has since been reported by Fichajes that Benzema's departure from Al-Ittihad is imminent, with three clubs in Europe keen to sign him on loan for the remainder of the season.

Karim Benzema may leave Al-Ittihad during the January transfer window  :: IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Alexandre Neto

One of those clubs is Manchester United, while Benzema's former teams Lyon and Madrid are also reportedly interested in re-signing him.

A short-term deal for the ex-France forward could be an excellent option for Madrid, who failed to directly replace Benzema following his departure last year.

Benzema scored 354 goals in 648 games for Madrid. The only player to score more goals in the club's 121-year history is Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 450 times in 438 Real appearances.

Real Madrid are said to be keen to re-sign Benzema, who is second on the club's list of all-time leading scorers :: IMAGO/Marca/Ricardo Larreina

United signed 20-year-old striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta last summer but he has so far struggled in the Premier League, scoring just once in his first 15 games.

Lyon's frontline has been even blunter than United's this season, with Benzema's first club only netting 16 goals in 17 Ligue 1 matches.

That poor form has seen Lyon emerge as shock relegation candidates this season.

Benzema scored 66 goals in 148 matches for Lyon between 2005 and 2009.