Karim Benzema has made a transfer request to Al-Ittihad.

The former Real Madrid striker has told management he does not feel capable of giving his best and has asked for a solution. If that involves going on loan to another club, then he would be open to playing the rest of the season elsewhere, says AFP.

A-Ittihad has offered him a loan, but to another club in the Saudi league.

Complicating things is coach Marcelo Gallardo, who has refused to allow Benzema to return to training after he skipped out of sessions before and after Christmas.

Al Ittihad are working against the clock with both parties (coaching staff and Benzema) to bring their positions closer and iron out differences in view of the restart of the domestic competition and the Asian Champions League. But Gallardo, for the moment, is unmoved.

Meanwhile, talk of a return to Europe also appears off the table. “There is no option for Benzema to leave this month," stated a club source.