Transfer: Benzema in shock move to Man Utd this January

Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema is keen on a return to European football and Manchester United are interested in signing him this month, Marca reports.

Benzema ended his 14-year spell with Real Madrid last June to sign a three-year deal reportedly worth £86million-a-season with the Saudi Pro League side.

The 36-year-old has scored 12 goals in his 20 appearances in the Middle East, but problems have begun to emerge for him in Saudi.

Benzema failed to show up for the start of Al-Ittihad’s pre-season campaign last Friday.

This meant the rest of the team travelled to Dubai without him over the weekend.

Head coach, Marcelo Gallardo has ordered Benzema not to join up with his teammates, leaving the player’s future in doubt.

United are one of the clubs interested in offering the former Ballon d’Or winner a route back to Europe with the Premier League side expecting a response in the coming weeks.