Karim Benzema ‘goes AWOL’ and forced to train alone after infuriating Saudi club as he chases January transfer

KARIM BENZEMA has been exiled by Al-Ittihad’s squad and made to train on his own after returning from holiday 17 days late, it’s claimed.

The striker was due to report for training on January 2 but a source close to the club claim Al-Ittihad were unable to contact him for 10 days according to France 24.

AFP

Benzema returned to Al-Ittihad 17 days late, according to reports[/caption]

He then took a further five days to return to report back for training with the club.

Benzema also deactivated his Instagram, which has 36million followers, while he holidayed in Mauritius with his ex-wife Chloe de Launay.

According to Marca, Benzema blamed his lateness coming back from the holiday on a cyclone which hit the island, but Al-Ittihad were already understood to be angry with him for missing three training sessions prior to the winter break.

Benzema has been linked with a loan move back to former club Lyon, who he left for Real Madrid in 2009.

But the French giants will be unable to pay Benzema anywhere near his £342million-a-year salary, making any move complicated.

Like many stars who have made the switch to Saudi Arabia, Benzema has failed to settle in the league and country at large.

Jordan Henderson took a massive pay-cut to leave his club Al-Ettifaq and join Ajax and Aymeric Laporte lamented the lifestyle options for players in the kingdom.

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Former Lazio midfielder Serej Milinkovic-Savic is also reportedly texted team-mates to tell them he misses them and wants to return to the club.

Players are understood to be struggling with the heat when actually playing in the Saudi Pro-League and unable to deal with the reality of competing in 40 degree temperatures.

Embarrassingly small crowds are also understood to be playing a role, with Henderson and Steven Gerrard‘s Al-Ettifaq at one point playing in front of just 696 fans.

Players are also said to have been caught by surprise at the laws for women which prohibits them living with their partners unless they are married.

They are also understood to be unhappy with the general standard of the league, which consists of stars dotted amongst poorer quality squad members.

EPA

Benzema has been linked with a move back to former club Lyon[/caption]