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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said nobody at the club feels bitterness towards Karim Benzema, who is set to join Real Madrid for £30 million.

Real agreed the fee with Lyon on Thursday and Benzama is now set to join new signings Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Raul Albiol at the Madrid giants.

"Karim had the possibility of leaving because it was Real Madrid, his dream since he was a kid," Aulas told Le 10 Sport.

"When he came back from holiday and the chance to join Kaka and (Cristiano) Ronaldo was offered to him, things changed.

"He really wanted to try this adventure and I confess I would have also gone if I was in his place.

"Everything happened very harmoniously because we couldn't deny him this. Negotiations were quite quick and I knew that the offers would be decisive.

"It's also a sort of respect for the academy. It should be a source of pride to have him play in such a club and not a sign of jealousy."

There has been some speculation suggesting Benzema's transfer could see Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy move in the opposite direction.

But Aulas has refused to be drawn on the club's plans to bring in new players.

"I can't get into that," Aulas said. "These type of affairs have to be conducted in a confidential manner.

"It's already quite complicated. Even before Karim's transfer, we created a recruitment plan with three or four international players.

"There will be signings. We are not under pressure really because we know who we want and we have the means to have them."

Eurosport