9 months ago
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Dimitar Berbatov fears Manchester United would be at the back of the queue of clubs hoping to sign Karin Benzema in the January transfer window.
The former Ballon d’Or winner’s move to the Saudi Pro League appears to have turned sour with the 36-year-old understood to be regretting his decision to quit top level European football.
United, along with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, would jump at the chance to sign a top class striker this month given their well-documented struggles in front of goal.
Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen appear to be beyond the financial means of the London rivals, who will likely wait until the summer to land their leading targets.
Benzema would potentially offer the ideal short-term solution even though his agent appears to have ruled out the possibility of a six-month loan.
United, meanwhile, are yet to make a single move in the market despite the fresh investment offered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Erik ten Hag dipped into the loan market 12 months ago to sign Wout Weghorst in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure.
Former United No.9 believes Benzema would represent a shrewd addition but fears Chelsea and Arsenal would hold more appeal to the Real Madrid legend.
He told Betfair: ‘I’ve seen that Man United may be in the picture for Benzema as well. Someone has told me that maybe they’ll try to see what the situation is. I think Benzema will be an interesting addition to any team. He brings a team goals.
’Let’s see what Man United do in January, but why shouldn’t Man United sign him? He brings experience and goals. He’s been at Real Madrid before so maybe he’s talking to Raphael Varane right now. Asking how training is, how Ten Hag is and what Manchester is like.
’Benzema isn’t happy where he is from what we’ve all read and he just wants to play football. He doesn’t play for the money anymore, he has all the money already so he is an option for Man United.
’Benzema will want to play in the Champions League and I think he still wants to play regularly. He’s very similar to Cristiano Ronaldo in that respect. He wants to win trophies too.
’It’ll all come down to what Ten Hag says to him but in the end sometimes the Man United brand and badge is sometimes all that needs to appeal to some players.
‘I think Benzema would get more game time at Chelsea because Nicolas Jackson is still finding his feet and is still missing chances. Also, it’d be in London and sometimes you want your new surroundings to be in a big city like that.
’Arsenal would be a very similar move because he’d be able to chase Champions League success. He’d also be able to play regularly because Gabriel Jesus can play out wide. Benzema would like playing for Arsenal because of their style of play.
’He has an interesting choice to make but right now he’d probably choose to move to a London club.
’In my mind, with Benzema, he’d like to play – if not every game – every other game. He’s not going to move to sit on the bench. He’s going to want to prove how good he still is.’
MORE : Dimitar Berbatov’s Premier League predictions including Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
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