Al-Ittihad ‘to monitor’ Mohamed Salah as Benzema replacement after Al-Hilal switch | OneFootball

Al-Ittihad have made Mohamed Salah their top target to replace Karim Benzema. The 33-year-old signed a new Liverpool deal last April but has only six club goals, having criticised the club in December before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to winwin, Al-Ittihad are now closely tracking Salah’s situation as they hunt a new marquee name, with Moussa Diaby understood to be keen on a summer exit.

Benzema’s switch to Al-Hilal surprised Saudi Pro League fans on Monday. He had been with the Jeddah club since 2023, helping them win the 2024-25 title, but their defence has unravelled, sitting sixth on 34 points from 19 games.

Al-Hilal are first, a point clear of Al-Nassr, and adding Benzema to a squad featuring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom, Darwin Nunez and Theo Hernandez boosts Simone Inzaghi.

Saudi clubs cannot add players now the window has closed, so any Al-Ittihad move would wait until summer. Liverpool rejected a £150 million bid in 2024, and Salah later said the approach was genuine, though no January transfer materialised.

Al-Ittihad could suffer further upheaval if N’Golo Kante departs. Fenerbahce pursued him throughout the winter, a deal collapsed due to administrative errors, and with Türkiye’s window still open he reportedly missed training on Tuesday, yet his club would be unable to sign a replacement.

After a poor title defence, a rebuild is inevitable. Salah remains the marquee option they crave.

Source: Goal.com