Man United make final decision over signing Karim Benzema before January transfer deadline

Manchester United have turned down the chance to sign Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema this month, according to the Sun.

The Frenchman wants to leave the Saudi Pro League club despite joining just six months ago from Real Madrid.

Benzema has been touted around but the Red Devils have refused to even enter into talks with his representatives, citing his huge wages.

The 36-year-old currently earns £86 million a year at Al-Ittihad, but he knows no club in Europe will be willing to meet his demands.

Benzema will be more than willing to take a huge pay cut, but it appears Man United are still unwilling to agree to his terms.

The reason being that the Old Trafford club are paying attention to their wage bill and budget as they need to stay within Financial Fair Play guidelines.

As a result, signing a high earner like Benzema is not realistic despite being able to land him on loan.

They have been dealt a massive injury blow with Anthony Martial set to be out of action for up to ten weeks after undergoing surgery on a groin injury, which leaves Man United with Rasmus Hojlund as their only number 9.

They have also been linked with a move for Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, with talks reportedly going on over a six-month loan deal.

Man United manager Erik ten Hag badly needs attacking reinforcements given the struggles of his squad in front of goal, and there is just a week left in the January transfer window for his club to get a deal done.

It has largely been a quiet transfer window across clubs in England and Europe so far this month, but the Red Devils cannot afford to head into the second half of the campaign without strengthening their squad