Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema has agreed to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad for three years, beginning next season, according to a source at the Jeddah-based club.

The news comes only days after Real Madrid confirmed that the 35-year-old would be departing the club after 14 seasons and just one day after coach Carlo Ancelotti declared there was "no doubt" Benzema's future lay in Madrid.

"Benzema has signed a three-year contract with Al-Ittihad, which will begin next season," a Saudi club source revealed.

PHOTO | COURTESY Karim Benzema

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If the transfer is approved, Benzema would join former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom, where the five-time World Player of the Year went from Manchester United following last year's World Cup.

Lionel Messi, who is leaving PSG after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Senior executives from another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, have travelled to France to try to sign Messi after the 35-year-old Argentinean played his final game for PSG over the weekend, according to two individuals who know the situation.

Benzema joined Real Madrid from Lyon in 2009. He made 648 games for Real Madrid and has 354 goals, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo. With Real Madrid, he has won five Champions Leagues, four La Liga crowns, and three Copas del Rey.

However, following a great 2021-22 season in which he led Real to Champions League success and was awarded the Ballon d'Or, he was plagued by injuries in the previous season. He was forced to miss France's World Cup campaign in Qatar last year due to a thigh ailment.

PHOTO | COURTESY Karim Benzema

According to a source close to the negotiations, Saudi Arabia has compiled a list of "more than 10" players who have won either the Champions League or the World Cup and want to join its league.

Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and his France teammate N'Golo Kante are also on the list. They are all nearing the conclusion of their careers.

The world's largest oil producer wants to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 and relies on the sport to help alter its austere image, which has earned allegations of "sportswashing" from rights groups.

Real Madrid will organize a farewell ceremony for Benzema on Tuesday.