Manchester United-linked striker Karim Benzema has spoken out on claims he has handed in a transfer request at Al-Ittihad.

• Striker allegedly wanted Al-Ittihad exit
• Benzema cleared the air
• Blamed French media for misinformation

AFP reported that the 36-year-old striker had expressed his desire to leave Al-Ittihad after being frozen out by manager Marcelo Gallardo. The tactician decided to exclude Benzema after he turned up 17 days late to training but the former Real Madrid frontman blamed Mauritius’ stormy weather for his late arrival. The striker has now poured cold water on all speculation over his future, suggesting he has no desire to leave Saudi Arabia despite going through a troubled time in his new surroundings.

As per L’Equipe, Benzema said: “It’s completely false! The French media don’t know what to invent any more. The bigger the better.”

Benzema would have no dearth of suitors if he were to leave Al-Ittihad as a host of top European clubs are already lining up to get his services. United are said to be interested in a loan deal for the Ballon d’Or winner, while Chelsea and Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring his situation. A potential return to Lyon has also been mooted, but Real Madrid have distanced themselves from their former frontman.

It has been reported that Benzema is following a tailor-made individual training schedule in Riyadh to get back to match fitness after a lengthy winter break. The rest of his team-mates have flown to Dubai to train under Gallardo before returning to competitive action against Al-Faisaly in the quarterfinals of the King Cup of Champions.

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