‘Spectacular’ player would have to take huge pay cut to join Chelsea

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Chelsea are interested in signing Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema this month, but some compromises are going to have to be made if they are to land him.

Chelsea have been in contact with one of Karim Benzema’s representatives over a potential move, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

However, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has told GiveMeSport that the Frenchman would have to take a massive pay cut to join Mauricio Pochettino‘s side or another team before the transfer window closes.

Benzema only joined Al-Ittihad last summer, but it looks like he could already be on his way out of the Saudi Pro League club.

Karim Benzema needs to take pay cut in order to join Chelsea

According to Sheth, Benzema’s salary will need to be slashed for a move to Chelsea to go through.

On the 36-year-old, the journalist said: “Benzema’s wages, by all accounts, are absolutely incredible. We’re talking, maybe even £1m per week at least. So, looking at him from that situation, for any deal you would think to happen, it would require a termination of a contract or maybe a permanent deal where a club goes in and buys one of these players.

“Still, it would also rely on that player to take a massive cut in their wages. It depends on how desperate they are to leave Saudi Arabia and if that desperation is such that they’re willing to take the mother of all pay cuts that basically no one has seen before.”

Karim Benzema should take a pay cut and join Chelsea

Benzema has practically done it all in his career, but a stint in the Premier League before he hangs up his boots is another thing he could add to his CV.

From Chelsea’s point of view, they would obviously be getting a very good striker, with the former France international once being described as “spectacular” by Zinedine Zidane.

Despite being 36 now, Benzema is still firing, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances for Al-Ittihad this term.

If the former Real Madrid man is willing to have his salary significantly slashed, then Chelsea should be all over this. A signing of this magnitude could transform their season.