Karim Benzema is the subject of a eye-popping £140million offer from Saudi Arabia which would link him up with Lionel Messi.
Leading Spanish publication AS claim the world superstar has one foot out the door despite his Ballon d'Or clause – an automatic renewal of his contract until 2024 after being named the world's best player. Messi would join him as part of an astronomical £432m deal to head to the Middle East and take on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Madrid bombshell report has led to fresh speculation Harry Kane could be the target for the 14-time European Cup winners who are licking their wounds after the pasting at the hands of Manchester City in this season's Champions League semi final. Benzema was understood to be on the keep list but the monumental offer to potentially take him to Saudi is set to result in frank discussions within the Bernabeu boardroom.
It appeared a £130m deal to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund would be the only Galactico business of the summer, however, a move Bellingham's England skipper could be in the offing if Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez are forced to act. Benzema netted 30 goals but it appears his trophy-laden 16 years in Madrid are nearing the end game.
And that could spark a domino effect across the continent with multiple teams feeling the consequences of the seismic financial ripple coming from Saudi Arabia. Messi's PSG exit is expected to be rubber-stamped imminently after he headed to his potential destination on an unsanctioned trip last month.
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