Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has fuelled speculation he could leave the Bernabeu by posting a cryptic message on Instagram.

The French striker is linked with a move to Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United, as reported by the Daily Star (h/t Hamish Mackay of the Mirror). Karim Djaziri, the player’s agent, recently told Sky Sports News he is “1,000 percent” sure Benzema will remain in the Spanish capital when the transfer window closes.

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Benzema Post Intensifies Transfer Speculation

Tuesday, July 28

“Leave the past to the past. #directionfuture,” read Benzema’s Instagram remark, translated by Chris Wheatley of Eurosport.

He can also be seen in what appears to be a private jet below:

Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) previously reported Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is preparing to spend £40.5 million on the striker. Kike Marin of El Confidencial also believes Benzema remains the Gunners’ No. 1 target, although the club are happy to wait until the end of the transfer window to hunt his signature.

United chief executive Ed Woodward was reported to have met with Djaziri in June, reported Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News. Luckhurst noted United “could lodge a £40 million bid” for the player whose future will remain doubtful if new Madrid boss Rafa Benitez opts to play Cristiano Ronaldo through the middle.

Benzema recently scored a fine goal in Madrid’s 4-1 pre-season dismantling of Manchester City, but he didn’t feature during Monday’s 3-0 win over Inter Milan. He is often overlooked at the club—where every player is a superstar in their own right—and could become the main player elsewhere.

He is also understood to be one of Madrid president Florentino Perez’s “favourite players,” reported Rob Draper of the MailOnline. The Spanish club will certainly be hard-pushed to replace the powerful star if he’s allowed to move on ahead of the upcoming season.

Both Arsenal and United are in desperate need of a prolific goalscorer. Benzema has netted 15, 17 and 11 in his last three La Liga seasons and has also contributed an average of 10 assists each year, per WhoScored.com. He is well-built and perfectly suited to the physical style of the Premier League.

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