Chelsea transfer target Karim Benzema ‘leaves Saudi chiefs furious after reporting back to training 17 DAYS late’

11 months ago 55

CHELSEA target Karim Benzema has left Al-Ittihad chiefs raging after reporting back for training 17 DAYS late, according to reports.

The Real Madrid legend, 36, joined the Middle Eastern side in the summer after an iconic 14-year stint at the Bernabeu.

But his arrival at the club, who won the Saudi Pro League last season, has not gone to plan.

While Benzema has scored 15 goals in 24 games, the team are struggling down in seventh place.

Now he is being linked with a move to Chelsea as Mauricio Pochettino looks for someone to lead the line at Stamford Bridge.

And he has reportedly caused further disruption by turning up more than two weeks late for training.

According to France 24, the striker, earning £85.9million per season in Saudi, was on holiday in Mauritius until Monday.

SunSport shared pictures of Benzema during his holiday in which he was seen on the beach with with ex-wife Chloe.

He then only turned up for training on Thursday – a long while after he was reportedly due to return from the mid-season break.

And there will now be internal discussions regarding his future at Al-Ittihad.

The source said: “Benzema arrived Thursday evening, 17 days late. He should have returned on January 2.

“We couldn’t reach him for 10 days. The club management and the coach are furious with what happened.

“There will be a meeting with the club board to explain what happened and discuss his future.”

Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Al-Ahli star Roberto Firmino have also been mooted as potential targets.

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