Karim Benzema close to European return as Bayer Leverkusen enters talks
Bayer Leverkusen has joined interest in signing Benzema, but his Saudi ambassadorial contract until 2030 creates scheduling conflicts.
Karim Benzema is reportedly exploring a return to European club football after becoming a free agent roughly two weeks ago.
Leverkusen emerges as a concrete option
Initial approaches toward a comeback in Europe reportedly involved Benfica, where talks stalled, and Olympique Lyon, another club linked to his earlier career, but neither led to a deal. More recently, Bayer Leverkusen entered discussions and the French striker is said to have spoken with former teammates Moussa Diaby and Lucas Vazquez about the possibility.
The transfer picture, however, is complicated by matters off the pitch: Benzema holds an ambassadorial contract with Saudi Arabia that runs until 2030 and obliges him to attend various events throughout the year.
Those scheduled commitments could clash with matchdates and club duties if he signs for a European side. Rather than terminate the lucrative agreement, Benzema and his agents are reportedly negotiating with their Saudi partners to temporarily reduce or rework his obligations so he can play in Europe without frequent conflicts.
Earlier this month there were reports that Benzema might even consider retiring if he could not secure a return to Europe. The concrete option from the Bundesliga has changed the dynamics, and Leverkusen now appears willing to try to find practical solutions with all parties.
For now the main obstacle is contractual rather than sporting: Leverkusen wants a solution, Benzema wants to return to top-level European football, and the outcome will depend on the result of talks over his Saudi commitments.
Photo: press material from the event
