Bayer Leverkusen Denies Karim Benzema Transfer Rumors
Bayer Leverkusen have slammed the brakes on a swirl of transfer gossip linking them with Karim Benzema, shutting down talk of a blockbuster late move for the free agent.
The story caught fire when DZfoot journalist Ilyes Kaddouri reported that Leverkusen officials had made direct contact with the 38-year-old, whose contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal was recently terminated by mutual consent. With one of the modern era’s most decorated forwards suddenly back on the market, the idea of Benzema rocking up in the Bundesliga spread quickly.
Then came the social media spark. The former Real Madrid star was seen following Leverkusen’s official Instagram account, and the rumour mill went into overdrive. A romantic late-career switch to the BayArena? On paper, it had all the makings of a headline.
Leverkusen, though, were having none of it.
“Our squad is complete,” sporting director Simon Rolfes told BILD when pressed on the possibility of signing the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner.
Four words, delivered with intent. With that, the door to a Benzema move to Germany all but slammed shut.
Behind the scenes, there has been some contact. Benzema is understood to have been in touch with Leverkusen pair Lucas Vazquez and Moussa Diaby, both with links to his Real Madrid past and his French roots. Those conversations, however, have not shifted the club’s stance.
Leverkusen believe they are already well armed in attack. Head coach Carles Martinez can call on the proven Bundesliga know-how of Patrik Schick, a striker who, when fully fit, carries both presence and goals. Alongside him stands Christian Kofane, an emerging talent pushing for a bigger role and more minutes in a side that thrives on quick, incisive football.
The picture will look even stronger once Victor Boniface returns. The powerful forward is working his way back from a serious knee injury, and his comeback is expected to add another dimension to Martinez’s frontline. With that in mind, Leverkusen see no need to rip up their plans for a short-term splash, especially after a potential emotional return to Lyon for Benzema was already dismissed last week.
While the Benzema noise fades, the reality for Leverkusen is clear: a crucial stretch of fixtures is coming fast.
They open their Europa League campaign at home to Slovenian side Celje on Wednesday evening, a chance to set the tone in Europe in front of their own fans. Four days later, RB Leipzig arrive at the BayArena in a Bundesliga clash that will offer an early measure of where Martinez’s team stand in the domestic pecking order.
Then comes a pause for the international break, a brief moment to breathe before the schedule tightens again. Competitive action resumes on 10 October, when Leverkusen travel to Mainz for matchday five.
By then, the Benzema chatter may have vanished completely. The question is whether Leverkusen’s current forwards can make sure nobody in the BayArena misses the idea of him at all.
