Yassine Benzia is poised to leave Qarabag FK at the end of the season, with the Algerian international expected to sign the most lucrative contract of his career in the Saudi Pro League.
The 30-year-old forward, who joined the Azerbaijani champions in January 2023, has reportedly declined multiple extension offers from the club despite his significant contribution over the past two seasons.
He is now expected to part ways with Qarabag when his contract expires in June, marking the end of a fruitful spell with the reigning league champions.
Since his arrival, Benzia has played a pivotal role in Qarabag’s domestic success, tallying 25 goals and 25 assists in 97 appearances.
His consistent form earned him a recall to the Algerian national team in March 2024, where he has now accumulated 14 caps and scored four goals.
But as the season draws to a close, his focus appears to be shifting towards a fresh challenge—one that could significantly elevate both his financial and professional standing.
He is reportedly on the verge of sealing a move to Saudi Arabia, with several clubs from the Saudi Pro League vying for his signature.
The proposed deal is said to include a substantial signing bonus and a salary package that would make it the most profitable contract of his playing career.
The decision to explore options in the Gulf appears to have been influenced, at least in part, by conversations with fellow Algerian internationals currently based in Saudi Arabia.
National teammates Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), and Saïd Benrahma (NEOM SC) are believed to have encouraged Benzia to consider the move.
Benzia’s potential transfer marks the latest chapter in a career that has seen the versatile attacker feature for several European clubs, including Olympique Lyonnais, Lille, Fenerbahçe, and Olympiakos.
His journey through top-flight football across France, Turkey, and Greece has shaped him into a seasoned forward, capable of operating across the attacking line and contributing both goals and assists.
While his departure from Qarabag will bring an end to a successful stint—highlighted by consecutive league titles in 2023 and 2024 and a domestic cup—the forward appears determined to capitalise on his resurgence and solidify his place in Algeria’s national team.
Since the appointment of Swiss-Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic in February 2024, Benzia has remained a regular feature in the squad, and a move to a competitive and high-profile league could further reinforce his position.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Benzia looks set to enter a new phase of his career. A confirmed deal with a Saudi club would not only redefine his trajectory but also underscore the increasing appeal of Gulf football for experienced international players.
