Benzema Puts Pressure on Man United Star to Join Al-Ittihad
Karim Benzema is reportedly attempting to persuade his former Real Madrid teammate, Casemiro, to leave Manchester United and join him at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad.
This is not the first time Casemiro has been linked with a move to the Middle East, with several Saudi clubs, including Al-Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, having previously shown interest.
While Casemiro has publicly expressed that he is happy at Manchester United, his future at the club remains uncertain.
A New Chapter for Old Teammates
Benzema and Casemiro were integral members of a dominant Real Madrid side that won a remarkable four Champions League titles in five seasons between 2014 and 2018.
The two have maintained a close relationship, and Benzema’s reported recruitment effort is a testament to the influence high-profile players are having on the Saudi Pro League’s recruitment strategy.
While the Saudi league is primarily funded by its Public Investment Fund (PIF) to bring in top talent, having star players like Benzema actively pitching to former teammates adds a new dynamic to the transfer market.
Financially, a move to Saudi Arabia would likely be highly lucrative for Casemiro. The Saudi Pro League has offered some of the highest-paying contracts in the world to attract elite players.
