Karim Benzema rejects Al-Shabab move amid Al-Hilal contract standoff

Karim Benzema has rejected an attempt by Al-Shabab to secure his services. The club had reached out to the Saudi Pro League to facilitate the deal, but the veteran striker has firmly refused the prospect of joining the side.

The situation regarding the Frenchman's future remains tense. According to reports, Benzema has told Al-Hilal management that he either wishes to remain with the team or reach a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. In the latter scenario, he expects to collect all outstanding dues through to the end of his current deal on June 30, 2027.

The financial structure is notably complex, as Benzema operates under two separate contracts. The first is a direct agreement with the club worth 25 million dollars annually, while the second is funded via the Saudi Pro League's recruitment programme, providing 23 million dollars a year for promotional roles. Both deals currently run until 2030.

A critical clause in these agreements prohibits Benzema from playing outside Saudi Arabia for the duration of the contracts. Moving to a foreign club would result in immediate cancellation, making a stay within the Saudi League the only path for him to preserve the value of his 2030 agreements. While Benzema remains resolute in his stance, Al-Shabab face their own hurdles, as they must first offload English player Josh Brownhill before they can realistically pursue a major signing.