The departure file of the French star Karim Benzema, Al-Hilal's striker, has become complicated after his refusal to leave the club during the current summer transfer window, according to the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya.
The report revealed that Al-Hilal's management proposed to Benzema to move to one of the promoted clubs in the Saudi League during the summer mercato.
However, the player categorically rejected the idea, conditioning the receipt of all his financial dues for the last year of his contract, which grants him the freedom to choose his next destination without any interference from the management.
The Frenchman played 13 matches with Al-Hilal in various competitions since joining the club.
He scored nine goals during them, including two hat-tricks, and provided five assists before facing fan criticism due to the levels the team presented offensively in the past season.
In the context of strengthening the Blue team's ranks, the Portuguese Pedro Neto, Chelsea's English player, emerges as a second option on Al-Hilal's management table to bolster the right wing position, according to the source.
Neto is 26 years old, masters playing in both the right and left wing positions, and is considered one of the elements of the Portuguese national team, and participated with it in the 2026 World Cup.
He played five matches, and provided one goal before the team's exit from the round of 16 against Spain.
During his second season with the Blues, he played 52 matches, scored ten goals, and provided the same number of assists in various competitions.
