Sports desk:

Karim Benzema has agreed a deal to leave Real Madrid, the Spanish giants said on Sunday, with strong interest in the ex-France striker reportedly coming from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi state television channel Al-Ekhbariya claims the 35-year-old had signed with Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad, to feature against former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo next season.

According to Al-Ekhbariya, the president of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad and his deputy were in the Spanish capital ‘to officially sign’ Benzema in a ‘record transfer with Real Madrid’.

The broadcaster said Benzema had agreed a two-year deal with the club, based on the Red Sea shores of the Gulf kingdom.

Over the past week, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti — as well as Benzema himself — had said the striker would not leave his contract at Santiago Bernabeu early, with one year left of it to run.

‘Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable era as a player at our club,’ said Los Blancos in a statement.

‘Madrid want to show their gratitude and all their love to someone who is one of our greatest legends.’

Benzema has lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid and is the holder of the Ballon d’Or for the world’s best player.

Various team-mates including Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior paid tribute to Benzema after the announcement.

‘When the boy from Sao Goncalo, so shy, arrived in Madrid in 2018, you were the first to welcome me. I will never forget,’ Vinicius said on Instagram.

‘I grew up with you. We conquered Spain, Europe and the world together.

‘Karim, we will miss you very much,’ the 22-year-old added.

Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side and hometown outfit Lyon.

Benzema established himself as a key player alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the vaunted ‘BBC’ attacking trident, before developing into the team’s leader when the Portugal striker left in 2018.

He is Real Madrid’s second top scorer of all-time, with 353 goals for Spaniard, behind only Ronaldo on 450.

Benzema’s final appearance for them could be later on Sunday when they host Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Madrid confirmed on Saturday that Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz are all leaving this summer too, allowing for plenty of space for new acquisitions in attack.

Ancelotti avoided talking on Saturday about Madrid’s alleged interest in England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

‘I’m not going to talk about the future of the squad that is in place,’ said Ancelotti.

‘Kane is a great player, he is a Tottenham player, we have to respect the player and Tottenham.’