“Come play for Man United” – Man United sends shocking Karim Benzema transfer message out of the blue amid search for new forward in January transfer

“Come play for Man United” – Man United sends shocking Karim Benzema transfer message out of the blue amid search for new forward in January transfer

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner is earning a massive salary in Saudi Arabia, yet former Manchester United striker Louis Saha thinks he would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford

Manchester United have been urged to make a shock January move for former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema – despite the French striker only moving to Saudi Arabia last summer.

With beleaguered head coach Erik ten Hag in desperate need of a consistent goalscorer to help get United’s dismal season back on track, a former United player and compatriot of Benzema is urging the club to make a surprise move.

That is despite a belief that United cannot spend massive amounts in this window without sanctioning big-money sales as they make sure to remain within financial fair play limits.

However, Louis Saha has told Spanish newspaper AS that it would be a “dream” move for the 36-year-old ex-Real Madrid star to end up at Old Trafford.

“Benzema would change United’s attack, and that’s exactly what they need now,” Saha said.

“He would definitely score goals and also ensure better team play. For now it is just a dream, but Karim is still very professional.”

Yet Benzema is on mega bucks at Saudi side Al-Ittihad, for whom he has scored nine goals in 15 appearances. They sit seventh in the Pro League table – a disappointing position for a squad also containing former Chelsea star N’Golo Kante and ex-Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

Sir Alex Ferguson previously revealed how close Benzema came to joining United when Cristiano Ronaldo departed to Real Madrid in 2009.

Ferguson said: “We tried to spend [the Ronaldo money] on Karim Benzema as, at 21, I felt that there would be an improvement there. He is tough, good physique, a good goal scoring record, so it was worth going a wee bit extra for him because of his age.

“But when it went to £42m, it was beyond his value. We went to £35m and I think that was fair.”

United are also set to miss out on a move for Timo Werner, a Champions League winner at Chelsea.

The Germany international, who has been moved to the fringes at RB Leipzig this season, is expected to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, United are still expected to offload a number of their fringe players in this window – with Jadon Sancho top of the list. Borussia Dortmund have been linked with bringing the England star back to Germany. Defender Raphael Varane is also available if the right offer comes in.