Al-Hilal's Future Plans Without Karim Benzema
Al-Hilal are already sketching out a future without Karim Benzema – but the Frenchman is not walking away quietly.
Benzema stand-off stalls Watkins plan
Coach Inzaghi has set his sights firmly on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as the man to lead Al-Hilal’s attack next season. The 30-year-old England international, who hit 21 goals in 55 games for Villa in the 2025-26 campaign, is viewed as the ideal spearhead for a younger, more dynamic side.
For now, it’s only a plan on paper.
According to MaxiFoot, the Saudi club are prepared to part company with the 38-year-old Benzema this summer as they look to rejuvenate the squad. Club bosses want to lower the age profile and are working within strict foreign player quota limits in the Saudi Pro League. To bring in Watkins, someone of Benzema’s stature would almost certainly have to make way.
That is where the stalemate begins.
Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, is demanding full payment of the final year of his contract before agreeing to a mutual termination. Until that financial dispute is settled, Al-Hilal cannot free up the foreign player slot required to launch a formal move for Watkins. Negotiations have hit a standstill, and both sides know the next move will define the club’s summer.
Flashpoint in a 4-2 win
The tension spilled into public view during Al-Hilal’s 4-2 win over Al Faisaly on Friday night. Benzema found the net earlier in the game, but the mood darkened when Inzaghi substituted him with 20 minutes left, sending on youngster Kader Meite.
The veteran did not hide his frustration as he trudged off.
Inzaghi tried to cool the situation afterwards. Speaking to the media, he framed the incident as the reaction of a born goalscorer, not a player at war with his coach.
“We talked about that after the match,” Inzaghi said. “It’s normal that he wants to play every match, and I understand him because I was a striker too. At that moment, we had another young player available, Kader Meite, who represents the future of the club. I was joking with Karim after the match, and I have a respectful relationship with him. He is not only a great champion, but also a very great professional.”
On the touchline, it looked like a flash of anger. Inzaghi chose to present it as competitive fire and a coach’s decision to back youth.
Club determined to move on
Behind the diplomatic words, the club’s direction appears far more ruthless.
The same report indicates Al-Hilal’s hierarchy remain determined to terminate Benzema’s contract despite Inzaghi’s public praise. The foreign player quota is non-negotiable; so is the desire to refresh the squad before next season.
Per AS, Inzaghi has already earmarked Watkins as the forward to build around. At 30, with proven Premier League output and a strong recent season for Villa, he fits the club’s push for a younger core while still offering experience at the highest level.
The strategy is clear. The timing is not.
Everything now hinges on whether Benzema and Al-Hilal can find common ground over that final year’s salary. Until the Frenchman signs off on a termination deal, the club’s pursuit of Watkins cannot move beyond internal planning and informal assessment.
If Benzema agrees to go, Al-Hilal are ready to accelerate immediately for Watkins. If he stands firm, the former Real Madrid captain will report back as an Al-Hilal player, occupying a precious foreign slot and forcing the club to rethink how quickly it can turn the page.
