“Erik ten Hag call me. This was what he told me. That’s I refused to train with the team to force the move. He revealed something unbelievable to me”-Karim Benzema misses Al-Ittihad training camp amid Manchester United transfer instruction

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema reportedly missed Al-Ittihad after being touted as a possible January transfer target for Man United

Karim Benzema is reportedly set to be left out of Al-Ittihad’s squad for their upcoming tour of Dubai.The former Real Madrid forward left the Spanish giants in the summer after coming to the end of his contract. In the summer, he became one of the high-profile names that followed Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo’s example by signing for a club in the Saudi Pro League, where he counts N’Golo Kante and ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho among his teammates.

Benzema has scored 12 goals in 20 games for Al-Ittihad but is seemingly facing some issues in Saudi Arabia. Those issues led to former United striker Louis Saha recently touting Benzema as a possible target for the club to help bolster their centre-forward options during the January transfer window.

Speaking to AS, he said: “Benzema would change United’s attack, and that’s exactly what they need now. He would definitely score goals and also ensure better team play. For now it is just a dream, but Karim is still very professional.”

It has now been reported by Spanish outlet Marca that Benzema failed to attend a training camp ahead of the club’s upcoming tour of Dubai. As a result, it is stated that manager Marcelo Gallardo has decided to leave him out of his plans for the Dubai tour as his absence was without official permission. It is added that this is not the first time that Benzema has missed training.

Benzema is under contract until 2026 and Al-Ittihad would likely not wish to part with one of their star names. In terms of United’s approach to the January window, Erik ten Hag has admitted loan deals are a possibility.”So you always have to consider such choices. They are, again, two very good loans; (Marcel) Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst really contributed to our success last year,” he said. “When such opportunities come up, we have to take them. At the same time, you have to analyse what we have on board, what is coming up.”A move for Benzema remains unlikely however, with United having already moved to get a couple of high-earners off the wage bill amid Financial Fair Play concerns as Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek have both left for the Bundesliga on loan.