Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid this summer to join this club 

The 35-year-old has spent the past 14 years at Madrid and has helped the club win 25 trophies, including four La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.

Benzema is also Madrid’s second-highest all-time goalscorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 353 goals in 647 games and won the Ballon d’Or last year.

It’s understood that Benzema has agreed a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad worth around €200 million (£171.5m) per season.

Al-Ittihad finished as champions of the Saudi Pro League last week, five points clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, and are currently managed by ex-Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

It’s expected that Benzema’s departure will be officially announced by Madrid in the coming days, though the player himself played coy at a media event on Thursday.

Asked about his future, the Frenchman said: ‘Speak to Madrid fans? Speak about what? Why speak about the future if I’m in Madrid? Who’s speaking is the internet, and the reality is not the internet.’

Real Madrid are now considering replacements for Benzema, who joined in a €41m (£35.2m) deal from Lyon in 2009.

Harry Kane is on Madrid’s shortlist, however, the Spanish club face strong competition from Manchester United, while there are also doubts over the England captain’s desire to leave the Premier League.