Premier League Rumors: Benzema Open To Lyon Return

Karim Benzema is reaching that point of his football career where playing years are numbered. Though he continues to perform well, the 32-year-old admits that his former team Olympique Lyonnais still holds a special place inside of him. That said, he hints that a return to Les Gones is a possibility.

However, returning to Lyon may not happen earlier than 2022. Diario AS reported that Benzema allegedly signed a contract extension with Real Madrid until June 2022 although this needs confirmation. For those who are not aware, the French striker moved to Madrid in 2009 for a reported €41 million. That investment has paid off handsomely with Benzema scoring 241 goals in 501 appearances for Los Blancos.

"Coming back to Lyon immediately is not possible because I am in the best club in the world and I have a lot of things to do. But [I could] come back to Lyon and retire, why not?" Benzema said via YouTube.

Considering Benzema is someone who was part of the Lyon's triumphant 2004-05 Ligue 1 campaign and stood out as one of the key players when they won the trophy seven times, there is no doubt he will someday return to his old club. It may not be as a player but in a different capacity. But for now, his focus on helping Real make history and contribute in whatever way he can.

“Regarding coming back, I could not at the moment because I want to continue making history at Real Madrid – the best club in the world," he said.

For now, Benzema gets a break with the league grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision on the fate of the current season has yet to be determined although things are not looking good with coronavirus numbers continuing to rise. It also complicates things a bit in terms of the contract of players right now. There are several other players whose contracts are unsettled. Verbal commitments may suffice for now but signing on the dotted line may take some time.

Zinedine Zidane is expected to bring in more players to the fold as he tries to revamp the current lineup. Several young names have cropped up like Eduardo Camavinga and Paul Pogba. Whoever Real takes in, it would be much-appreciated help for players like Benzema.