Former Real Madrid star leaves Saudi Arabia, is he going to America?

In late July, the football transfer market saw several notable developments, with Karim Benzema confirming his departure from Al-Hilal after just six months with the Saudi Arabian club. The 38-year-old French forward, who had joined Al-Hilal earlier this year, has officially left the team, ending his tenure there before his contract was set to expire in June 2027. During his time at Al-Hilal, Benzema made just 13 appearances and scored nine goals. His exit comes after a brief stint with Al-Ittihad in early 2023, marking another chapter in a storied career that began at Lyon and reached its peak during his decade-long spell at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, in England’s Premier League, Nottingham Forest announced the signing of Colombian defender Daniel Muñoz on Monday. The 30-year-old joins Forest from Crystal Palace, with the transfer valued at £22 million. Muñoz has signed a three-year deal, having previously played for Genk in Belgium from 2020 to 2024 before joining Crystal Palace. He expressed excitement about joining Forest, calling the club “full of talent,” and noted his experience with the Colombian national team, where he earned 51 caps and scored five goals. In Italy, Juventus has confirmed the loan signing of Senegalese winger Pape Matar Sarr from Tottenham Hotspur. Sarr will undergo a medical in Turin and sign a contract upon completion of the process. The move is structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, potentially worth up to €30 million. The purchase condition hinges on Juventus' performance in European competitions and the number of appearances Sarr makes for the club. Back in England, Liverpool rejected a £93 million offer from Manchester City for midfielder Cody Gakpo. According to journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Reds have decided against selling the Netherlands international, despite his interest in moving to City. Gakpo had been considering staying at Anfield or joining either City or Tottenham, with a preference for playing under manager Ange Postecoglou. With Liverpool's decision to reject the offer, it appears Gakpo will remain with the club for the foreseeable future. In Spain, both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have shown interest in young forward Nicolás Tresoldi, according to insider reports. Tresoldi, a 21-year-old prospect currently with Club Brugge, has attracted attention from Spanish clubs, though Barcelona has reportedly been unwilling to meet the asking price of around €50 million. Atlético, meanwhile, would need to make several key transfers to fund such a high-profile acquisition. The summer transfer window continues to unfold with further activity expected as the deadline approaches. Clubs across Europe are finalizing deals, while players remain active in negotiations. As the market moves toward its close, fans and analysts await the final outcomes of these ongoing transfers, which could shape the competitive landscape for the upcoming season.