A complex financial equation with Al-Hilal: Benzema embarrasses Al-Shabab

Limited options: 330 million riyals complicate the situation for both parties

The Karim Benzema crisis at Al-Hilal is heading for a fresh twist, with a potential option now emerging for the French striker's future should his time at the Riyadh club come to an end.

So far, the player's own wishes point in a different direction. He is standing firm, rejecting any resolution to his dispute with Al-Hilal other than meeting his financial demands or a mutual termination that hands him every penny of his remaining dues.

Request to facilitate the deal: Benzema rejects Al-Shabab

Informed sources revealed to the newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" on Sunday that Al-Shabab has entered the Benzema crisis, keen to sign the veteran striker.

The club has asked the Saudi Pro League to help smooth the deal through, having already given its approval to sign the Frenchman. Benzema, though, is still standing firm and refusing a move to "the Lions".

According to the same source, Benzema has told the Al-Hilal management he intends to stay with the team, or else agree to terminate his contract by mutual consent. In that case, he would collect all his remaining dues right up to the end of his deal on 30 June 2027.

Benzema's secrets with Al-Hilal: two contracts and a complex clause to sever the relationship

According to "Asharq Al-Awsat", Benzema pockets 25 million dollars a year from Al-Hilal under the direct contract between the two parties.

The remaining dues owed to the French striker, from September until the end of June 2030, come to around 20.8 million dollars. That is nearly 78.1 million Saudi riyals.

Benzema's earnings do not stop at his Al-Hilal deal. The newspaper revealed a second, independent contract in the same report, worth 23 million dollars a year and running until 2030, financed through the Saudi Pro League's recruitment programme.

That second contract ties Benzema to roles promoting Saudi football and its associated events. Should the deal run until 30 June 2030, his remaining dues reach around 330.6 million riyals.

Crucially, the contract carries a clause barring Benzema from playing outside Saudi Arabia for its entire duration. Join a club beyond the Kingdom and turn out for them, and the contract is cancelled on the spot.

These terms hand a contractual edge to any move within the Saudi league, since Benzema would keep the deal running to 2030. Al-Shabab have tried, but the French striker has knocked them back so far.

Another obstacle facing Al-Shabab

Before securing Benzema's approval, Al-Shabab must first offload their 30-year-old English player Josh Brownhill to clear the way for a move for the French striker.

Sources confirm that Benzema's stance remains the biggest obstacle for now. He has firmly rejected the idea of pulling on the Al-Shabab shirt.

Nor will he accept being registered only on Al-Hilal's Asian list to feature in the AFC Champions League Elite.