Indications have shown that Olympique Lyonnais wants to resign Karim Benzema.

The 36-year-old Real Madrid legend has already scored nine goals and assisted five in 15 matches for his Saudi club, Al-Ittihad.

Benzema departed from Madrid last summer, having won all titles he could with the club and earning a legend status.

RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins revealed that the hindrance to the deal could be the salary. The Frenchman currently earns 8 million Euros, and that could prove financially difficult for the French club to match.

Benzema, Lyon’s academy product, made a €35m move to Real Madrid in 2009 after having made 148 appearances for Les Gones, scoring 66 goals.

Since he left Los Blancos in the summer to join the Saudi side of Al-Ittihad, only some things have gone according to plan. 

To complete a move, the former France international would have to make financial sacrifices to secure Lyon’s return.

Benzema has been in the news for the wrong reason. The 36-year-old has faced intense criticism from fans and pundits in the Gulf Stata. He has “infuriated” his club after returning to training 17 days late, which has been attributed to a storm in Mauritius, which left him stranded. 

Meanwhile, Benzema’s management has told L’Équipe that the player is happy at Al-Ittihad.

However,  intense speculation continues to surround Benzema’s future, and he could make a swift departure this January.

Although his former club, Real Madrid are, closed to the idea of bringing him back to the Bernabeu, his formative club are more receptive to the idea.

Hawkins said OL sources have explained that any deal would be financially difficult. Naturally,  OL can’ match the player’s current salary at Al-Ittihad. Therefore,  a return to his formative club means he will likely have to make significant financial sacrifices. 

As the winter transfer window is still open, anything could still happen.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed