Lyon rules out Benzema return, cites Saudi contract complications

Olympique Lyon has closed the door on the return of former striker Karim Benzema during the current summer transfer window, after the club's sporting director, Matthieu Louis-Jean, confirmed that completing the deal was impossible due to the player's contractual situation in Saudi Arabia.

Louis-Jean explained that Lyon's contacts regarding Benzema did not go beyond reaching out to an intermediary, and the attempt was halted immediately after learning about the personal terms tied to the former player's contract with the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Speaking at a press conference reported by RMC radio, the Lyon official said: "It is true that there was contact with an intermediary this summer regarding Karim, but for me, it did not go any further. Completing the deal was impossible due to the player's complicated contractual situation."

He added: "Karim is an exceptional player, and we did not even try to advance further in negotiations because we knew how difficult the situation was."

French newspaper L'Équipe had indicated that Benzema was open to returning to Lyon without a salary for at least one season, but his contract as an ambassador for the Saudi league until 2030, as stated in the source, prevented him from moving to another country.

Benzema became a free agent after mutually terminating his contract in Saudi Arabia, while Lyon was simultaneously looking to strengthen its attack before finalizing the signing of Lois Openda.

The prospect of Benzema returning to his former club attracted significant interest from Lyon fans, but negotiations did not progress due to his contractual situation, leaving his future between joining another Saudi team or retirement, according to the source.

Benzema came up through the Olympique Lyon academy and played for the first team for five years, winning four Ligue 1 titles, as well as the French Cup and Super Cup, before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.