How much is Benzema asking to leave Al Hilal?

Benzema is asking for the full payment of his salary for the final year of his contract, with estimates placing his annual gross earnings at over €120 million.

Who are the candidates to replace Benzema at Al Hilal?

The main candidate is Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, while Al Hilal is also negotiating with Chelsea for the transfer of Pedro Neto.

Why is Benzema unhappy at Al Hilal?

Benzema showed his dissatisfaction after being substituted by coach Simone Inzaghi in the 70th minute of the match against Al Faisaly.

Until when does Benzema have a contract with Al Hilal?

Benzema's contract with Al Hilal runs until June 2027.

Football

Benzema Demands €120 Million to Leave

B.M. · Prije 1 dana | 3 min

Saudi club wants to terminate contract with French striker, but he demands full payment. Meanwhile, new talks scheduled for Pedro Neto's arrival.

Summary

Al Hilal wants to terminate Benzema's contract just months after his arrival.
Benzema demands full payment of his salary for the final year of his contract, which could exceed €120 million.
Al Hilal is negotiating with Chelsea for Pedro Neto, while Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa is also a target.

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Karim Benzema, the 38-year-old French striker and Ballon d'Or winner, finds himself at the center of a new transfer saga in Saudi Arabia. His club, Al Hilal, is considering ending the partnership just months after his arrival, but Benzema has set a condition that could cost the Saudi club a fortune.

Contract Until 2027, but Club Already Seeking Exit

Benzema joined Al Hilal in early February 2026 as a free agent after terminating his contract with Al Ittihad. He signed a deal until June 2027 and scored a hat-trick on his debut against Al Okhdoud. In his first 14 matches, he netted 10 goals and provided 5 assists.

Despite impressive numbers, the situation became complicated at the start of the new league season. Coach Simone Inzaghi substituted Benzema in the 70th minute of the 4-2 victory over Al Faisaly, which the French striker visibly struggled to accept. After the match, Inzaghi tried to downplay tensions, noting that it's understandable for a player like Benzema to want to stay on the pitch as long as possible.

Benzema's Condition: Full Payment and Free Rein

According to Tportala, Benzema is willing to leave, but only if he receives his full salary for the final year of his contract. His stance is unequivocal: he refuses to let Al Hilal choose his next club, nor will he accept a transfer that benefits the Riyadh-based team.

Although official figures for Benzema's salary have not been disclosed, publicly available information suggests his annual gross earnings exceed €120 million. If he demands payment for the entire remaining contract, the parting could cost the Saudis a significant sum. An additional complication is that Benzema's contract is partially tied to the broader funding system of Saudi football, including structures of the Saudi Pro League and other Saudi institutions.

Watkins and Neto as Potential Replacements

While the Benzema saga continues, Al Hilal is actively working on strengthening their attack. Among the main candidates is Ollie Watkins, the English striker from Aston Villa. Watkins' arrival depends on Benzema's fate, as Al Hilal must first resolve the French star's situation before making major changes up front.

Meanwhile, according to Fabrizio Romano, Al Hilal has scheduled new direct talks with Chelsea regarding the transfer of Pedro Neto, the London club's winger. A financial proposal has already been sent to the player and his camp, with discussions expected to take place this week.

This topic has no direct connection to Croatian football, but it draws attention as a major international transfer story in the Saudi league, which has been attracting more and more stars in recent years.