Newcastle United could find themselves in an interesting position if Karim Benzema decides he wants to play outside Saudi Arabia again.
The striker is currently without a club after leaving Al-Hilal. Yet his wider contractual situation in Saudi Arabia makes a conventional move elsewhere extremely difficult.
That has now been explained in France after Lyon explored bringing their former star home this summer. And given Newcastle’s ownership, there is one obvious question to ask.
Benzema’s Saudi agreement is the problem
RMC Sport report Lyon made contact through an intermediary over Benzema during the summer window.
The 39-year-old was apparently willing to return to his former club for free. Lyon sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean has now confirmed there was contact.
“It is true that there was contact with an intermediary this summer regarding Karim,” he said.
“For me, it didn’t go any further than that. It was impossible because of Karim’s contractual situation.”
“Karim is an immense player. We didn’t even try to go any further because we knew how difficult the situation was.”
Benzema remains tied to Saudi Arabia through an ambassadorial agreement involving the country’s Public Investment Fund.
That agreement runs until 2030 and is worth tens of millions of euros per year. RMC explain Benzema essentially has two routes if he wants to retain those benefits. He can retire or sign for another Saudi Pro League club.
Moving to a club outside Saudi Arabia would apparently invalidate the agreement. One source close to the situation described a European transfer as “economically unthinkable” and “sportingly impossible”.
Newcastle United are an obvious exception
That’s where Newcastle United potentially come into the picture. There is no suggestion from RMC Sport that Newcastle are currently trying to sign Benzema. Nor do they say his agreement contains any special provision for the Magpies.
Still, Newcastle are owned by the same PIF which sits at the heart of this unusual situation.
If Benzema wants another spell in European football, his Saudi agreement creates a huge financial barrier. Newcastle would at least offer an obvious route for the parties to explore.
The PIF could potentially keep Benzema involved in promoting Saudi interests while having him play for a club it owns. It would require some contractual creativity, and perhaps an entirely new arrangement.
What Lyon’s failed attempt does show is that Benzema cannot simply pick a European club and sign for them as a free agent. Saudi Arabia remains central to whatever he does next.
Should the PIF ever decide they want Benzema back in European football, Newcastle would surely be one of the first possible solutions worth considering.
🇸🇪 Bo Åsulv Hegland | Newcastle watching 22-year-old midfielder ➡️ Scouts see him shine in 4-0 victory https://t.co/1GflvJ6jmt #nufc
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