Karim Benzema makes transfer decision just hours before window closes with Chelsea circling for Real Madrid legend

KARIM BENZEMA will NOT leave Al-Ittihad in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The Real Madrid legend, 36, only joined the Saudi Arabian champions in the summer in a deal worth £86MILLION per year.

Karim Benzema will not be leaving Al-Ittihad in the January windowGetty

But it was claimed earlier this month that numerous clubs were interested in bringing him back to Europe before the January deadline on Thursday.

Manchester United were linked with a move for the French striker, before they quickly denied any interest.

Arsenal and Chelsea were also considered to be potential destinations, along with his former club Lyon.

But now The Athletic understand Benzema will remain at Al-Ittihad, despite Lyon “exploring a potential deal”.

It comes after the player himself denied wanting away from the Middle East in an interview last week.

He said: “It’s completely false! The French media don’t know what to invent any more. The bigger, the better.”

Benzema’s Al-Ittihad contract runs until the end of the 2024/25 season.

He has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions since arriving in Saudi.

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After joining Al-Ittihad, Benzema said: “With everything I have achieved with Real Madrid, it was the right time for me to try a new challenge.

“For a very long time, even before football, I always wanted to come here.

“Then the football project came in, it was a project just starting to burst in from everywhere, so on my side I really wanted to be part of the story. I really wanted to help Saudi football grow.”

Al-Ittihad return to Saudi Pro League action on Wednesday, February 7 following their winter break.

The champions, who are down in seventh in the table, travel to Al-relegation-threatened Al-Tai.

Benzema angered Al-Ittihad bosses after returning from the mid-season break 17 DAYS late.

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