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Claim: An Instagram user claims that Benzema has signed for Newcastle United on a contract worth $7 million per season until 2028.
Verdict: False. Contrary to the Instagram user’s claim, neither the French player nor Newcastle has officially confirmed that Benzema has joined the club for a certain fee.
Full Text
Recently, an Instagram user, sportidioset, claimed (archived here) that French striker Karim Benzema has signed for Newcastle United.
The post features an image of the former Real Madrid and Al Hilal forward holding a Newcastle United jersey, captioned “HERE WE GO.”
The claimant also wrote along with the post, “CONFIRMED Karim Benzema is a new signing for Newcastle, on 7 million a season, with a contract running until 2028.”
As of Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, the post has earned 7,400 likes, 70 comments, and 76 shares.
Because the claim could mislead, DUBAWA decided to verify it.
Verification
DUBAWA first checked Benzema’s current club status. On Aug. 31, 2026, Al Hilal officially announced that it had mutually agreed to terminate Benzema’s contract, ending his time with the club.
After that development, Benzema became a free agent when the Instagram post started circulating. However, being a free agent does not mean that he had signed for Newcastle.
On Sept. 8, 2026, a report discussed Newcastle as a potential theoretical destination for Benzema because of the club’s ownership connection to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). But the report stated that there was no suggestion that Newcastle were actively trying to sign Benzema.
Meanwhile, a Sport Witness report explains why it is quite difficult for Benzema to return to Europe to play. The Frenchman is an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s football, and he benefits from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is worth tens of millions of euros per annum. Moreover, the agreement runs until 2030, and he has only two choices if he wants to keep these privileges—retire or sign for another Saudi Pro League club.
Logically, moving to Europe would strip him of these privileges. However, there could be a silver lining if he attempts to join Newcastle, since the PIF owns the English club. Although there have been no public announcements between the player and the club over a potential signing, the PIF could allow the Frenchman to keep promoting its interests while playing for the club it owns in Europe. However, this is only a mere possibility.
Newcastle’s official website’s current September 2026 homepage continues to report the club’s first-team activities without announcing Benzema as a signing. Furthermore, neither the Premier League side nor Benzema has announced a contract.
Additionally, no credible news outlet has announced the alleged move of Benzema to Newcastle.
Conclusion
As of the time of filing this report, Karim Benzema is currently without a club after leaving Al Hilal, according to credible reports. The claim that he had signed for Newcastle for $7 million per year until 2028 is, therefore, false.