Karim Benzema set to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia as 'transfer edges closer'

The French forward will announce his departure from Real Madrid in a press conference

According to reports, Karim Benzema will reveal today in the afternoon that he will be leaving Real Madrid at the conclusion of the current campaign.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Karim Benzema will confirm the news in a press conference, ending his illustrious 14-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It comes amid rumours previously this week that the Parisian had been given a £345 million two-year contract by an unknown club.

The player now appears likely to join former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. However, according to ESPN, he is poised to sign with Al Ittihad, who this season defeated Ronaldo's team to win the Saudi Pro League.

With 353 goals in 647 games and several awards, including five Champions League titles, Benzema will be remembered as one of the club's finest players ever.

The shocking news was released shortly after Paris Saint-Germain revealed that Lionel Messi would play his final match for the team on Saturday.

However, Benzema is most likely to have featured his last match for the team after declaring his season's end in an Instagram post after getting a terrible cut on his foot.

Benzema's participation in Real Madrid's season-ending match against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday is yet to be determined.

According to rumours in Spain, Benzema, whose contract ends this summer, was expected to sign a new one-year agreement.

The 35-year-old's decision to wait until now to announce his plans, though, has raised suspicions.

If Benzema were to sign a record £345 million two-year contract, it would practically match Cristiano Ronaldo's present £173 million annual contract at Al-Nassr.

Additionally, it was stated that the acquisition of Benzema will aid in the nation's plan to host the 2030 World Cup and that the Frenchman might end up serving as a representative for the event.

If they secure the bidding access to a league that would be co-organized with Turkey and Greece, Benzema would probably earn a lot of money if he accepted an ambassadorial position for the event.