Bayer Leverkusen Denies Karim Benzema Transfer Rumors

Bayer Leverkusen have moved quickly to slam the door on a whirlwind rumour linking them with Karim Benzema.

For a few hours, the transfer market buzzed. DZfoot journalist Ilyes Kaddouri reported that Leverkusen officials had made direct contact with the 38-year-old, freshly released from his contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. The story caught fire online, helped by one small but powerful detail: the former Real Madrid star had started following Leverkusen’s official Instagram account.

That was enough to send social media into overdrive. A Ballon d'Or winner in the Bundesliga? The idea travelled fast.

The answer from Leverkusen came faster.

“Our squad is complete.”

Sporting director Simon Rolfes, speaking at the BayArena when asked by BILD about a possible move for the free agent, cut through the noise with one blunt line: No caveats. No teasing. With that, any realistic prospect of Benzema in Leverkusen colours vanished.

Behind the scenes, there has been some contact from Benzema’s side. The Frenchman is understood to have reached out to Leverkusen duo Lucas Vazquez and Moussa Diaby, sounding out the club and the project. The hierarchy, though, see no need to reshape an attack they already trust.

Current Forwards

Head coach Carles Martinez has a frontline he believes in. Patrik Schick brings experience and penalty-box craft. Christian Kofane offers energy and upside as an emerging option. Victor Boniface is still to come back from a serious knee injury, and his return is viewed internally almost like a major new signing waiting in the wings.

The idea of a romantic return to Lyon has already been dismissed, and now the Leverkusen chapter has been closed before it ever really opened. Benzema remains one of the biggest names on the market, but not one that will be lighting up the BayArena.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, have little time to dwell on transfer fantasies. Their Europa League campaign kicks off on Wednesday night at home to Slovenian side Celje, a chance to set the tone in Europe in front of their own fans. Four days later, RB Leipzig arrive in the Bundesliga for a high-intensity clash that will test Martinez’s attacking options and squad depth.

Then comes a pause. The international break will halt domestic action before Leverkusen resume on October 10 with a trip to Mainz on matchday five.

By then, the Benzema noise will have moved on. The question is whether Leverkusen’s current forwards can make everyone forget it ever mattered.