RIYADH: Karim Benzema feels under “pressure” at his Saudi club Al-Ittihad and wants to leave “temporarily”, a source close to the club told AFP on Tuesday.

Al-Ittihad offered to loan the French striker to another club in the Saudi Pro League but he has refused, the source added.

Benzema, 36, had a meeting with the club that was described as bad-tempered.

He told the meeting “he doesn’t feel he is able to give his best because of the current pressure at Ittihad”.

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Contacted by AFP, Benzema’s entourage declined to comment.

Benzema, who was one of the highest-profile signings of the Saudi league last year, returned to the club 17 days late after its mid-season break.

Reports in England say Premier League club Chelsea would be keen to take the former Ballon d’Or winner on loan in the current transfer window.