Manchester United are reportedly giving consideration to making a move for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.
Having spearheaded Real's success in La Liga and the Champions League last season, Benzema was recently rewarded with the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
However, despite the France international being recognised as the best player in the world during the calendar year, the 34-year-old has endured a far less successful period during 2022-23.
The veteran has contributed just five goals from his 12 appearances in all competitions, with injury restricting his action for Los Blancos and ruling out him of the World Cup.
Those developments have occurred at a time when Benzema has less than a year remaining on his contract, the striker soon to be in a position where he can hold discussions with foreign clubs.
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As it stands, everything points to Benzema prolonging his career at the Bernabeu, where he has plied his trade since leaving Lyon in 2009.
Nevertheless, according to Nacional, as reported by Yahoo Sports, United may be prepared to make an offer for Benzema as they bid to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the back of delivering scathing criticism on United in an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo's contract at Old Trafford was terminated with mutual consent.
In the short term, the Premier League giants are now a striker short, with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial left as their options down the middle of the attack.
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However, United are also making huge savings with Ronaldo off their wage bill, theoretically freeing up space to sign a like-for-like replacement in January.
While it appears highly unlikely that Real will give the green light to a sale in January, regardless of whether Benzema agrees fresh terms, a lucrative offer may lead to a change of heart.
United have experience of pulling off such a transfer having paid in the region of £70m to sign midfielder Casemiro from Real in August.
The Red Devils are allegedly willing to offer Benzema 'a crazy salary' in a bid to get a deal over the line as they look to strengthen their bid to finish in the top four of the Premier League table.
United are also due to face Real's fierce rivals Barcelona in the last 32 of the Europa League in February.
Darren Plant
