Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema reportedly has no intention of joining PSG even if Zinedine Zidane is appointed as their new manager.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Karim Benzema has handed Paris Saint-Germain a major blow. That is because the Real Madrid talisman is uninterested in joining PSG even if they appoint former Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane as their new manager.
Karim Benzema has established himself as one of the best strikers of his generation since joining Real Madrid from Lyon in July 2009. However, it is particularly following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018 that the Frenchman has embraced more responsibility, evolving into a prolific striker.
Benzema also looks destined to become Real Madrid’s next captain, with Marcelo set to leave the club next summer. And the 34-year-old certainly deserves all the adulation coming his way, as he has been a talismanic figure for Real Madrid, especially this season, with 18 goals and eight assists in 22 appearances across all competitions.
The veteran striker’s exploits for Real Madrid have also helped him earn a long-awaited recall to the French national side, and he played a key role in their UEFA Nations League triumph this year. At the same time, Benzema has also captured the attention of several European bigwigs, with Paris Saint-Germain at the front of the queue of suitors.
The interest from PSG is understandable, considering Kylian Mbappe is poised to run down his contract while they will likely sell Mauro Icardi next summer. However, Mbappe’s possible departure, in particular, is putting PSG in a spot of bother, with the Frenchman seemingly Real Madrid-bound.
As a result, the Ligue 1 giants have set their sights on Benzema and are reportedly ready to table a bumper offer to secure his services. However, the Real Madrid talisman has now handed PSG a major blow in his pursuit, as he is not interested in joining them.
According to Defensa Central, Florentino Perez had an informal conversation with Benzema about the links him with PSG. During this meeting, Benzema insisted that he will only rejoin Lyon if he returns to France, assuring the Real Madrid president that he will not move to PSG even if Zinedine Zidane is appointed as their new manager. So, PSG must set their sights elsewhere for a new striker, with Benzema staying put at Real Madrid.