Karim Benzema 'Warns Real Madrid He Will Leave The Club If They Sign Erling Haaland'
Benzema has reportedly held talks with another club.
Karim Benzema has informed Real Madrid he will leave the club if they sign Erling Haaland this summer, according to reports in Spain.
La Liga leaders Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland, who has scored an impressive 78 goals in 77 games during his time at Signal Iduna Park.
Benzema is also in fine form, having scored 24 times in 27 games this season, and recently passed 300 goals for Madrid – becoming only the fourth player to achieve the feat.
France international Benzema shows no signs of slowing down at the age of 34 but Madrid are still expected to make a move for Haaland in the summer, with the 21-year-old’s release clause thought to be around £68m.
According to Catalan publication El Nacional, Benzema is unwilling to play a back-up role to Haaland at the Bernabeu.
The France international is said to have held talks with Madrid president Florentino Perez and has told him he will leave if Haaland is signed in the summer.
Madrid are also favourites to sign Kylian Mbappe, who is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, but Benzema is not concerned by his compatriot's expected arrival.
Benzema is said to be willing to play alongside Mbappe, who can play on the wing and is deemed less of a threat to his number nine position than out-and-out striker Haaland.
According to the report, Benzema has already held talks with PSG over a possible move to the Parc des Princes if Madrid sign the Norway international.
Speaking earlier this month, Haaland suggested he was now ready to make a decision over his future after feeling pressured by Dortmund to sign a new contract at the club.
“The last six months I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund, but now the club has started to press me into making a decision,” Haaland said.
“All I want to do is play football. But they press me... about my future, so that means I have to make a decision soon.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Football, La Liga, Bundesliga, Transfers
Rory O'Callaghan