Premier League - Lyon 'could sell Benzema'

Eurosport - Sat, 20 Jun 23:15:00 2009

Lyon could be tempted to sell Karim Benzema to Manchester United if the Premier League side put in a big-money bid, according to director Bernard Lacombe.

Olympique Lyon's Jean Makoun (L) and Karim Benzema (R) celebrate after scoring REUTERS - 0

Benzema (pictured, right) is one of the world's hottest properties and speculation is rife that United are ready to use some of the money from the impending sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid to bring the young striker to Old Trafford.

Lacombe claimed recently Benzema would remain at the Stade Gerland, but has now revealed the 21-year-old could be sold if the price is right.

"He is with us, but no-one knows what will happen," Lacombe told regional daily Le Progres.

"At the time we didn't think that Michael Essien would leave, but when Chelsea came with their cheque...

"If Manchester United, who we all know have come into a lot of money, present an offer for Benzema, what can you do?"

Ronaldo is set to become Madrid's second signing of the summer, following the purchase of Kaka from AC Milan.

The pair will cost the club around 160million euros in transfer fees and Lacombe has lashed out at the Spaniards for distorting the market.

He added: "The market is false because certain European clubs don't have official league bodies controlling how they are managed and can do what they want.

"I'm not bitter but how can Real Madrid, who are in debt, sign two players whose price is almost the same as Lyon's entire budget?

"It shocks we who are in the same environment, so I understand that people outside the football world are shocked.

"It's baffling, clumsy and disrespectful. Economically Spain is at a standstill. We can't support this."

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas had earlier hinted he could be powerless to keep the forward at the Stade Gerland.

"I won't hide from you the fact that he has been approached. For the moment, I managed to convince them not to go further," he said.

Benzema came through the ranks at the French giants and burst onto the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games.

That same season, the striker was named Ligue 1 player of the year and also topped the league's scoring charts.

This campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but the France forward nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions - an average of a goal every other game.

PA Sport

Comment 15 - 34 of 54

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Are Real Madrid actually in debt? AFAIR Perez ended the­ club's debt in January 2007.

    From Csaba, on Sun 21 Jun 6:45AM

  2. to be fair i dont see what all the fuss is about him­ anyway. it is not like he is the top scores is it, and­ he also had a dry spell this season, and if you have­ that in the french league, there is no way you will be­ any good in the premiership.

    From Raimo K, on Sun 21 Jun 6:39AM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    s c u u m m
    ­ s s c c u u m m m m
    ­ s c u u m m m
    ­ s c u u m m
    ­ s c u u m ­ m
    s s c c u u m ­ m
    s s c uu m ­ m

    From nicksterw, on Sun 21 Jun 6:32AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Everyone is raving about him....as a liverpool fan I­ vividly remember the same being said about Cisse who­ scored more goals that Benzema is in the french league­ yet is a 15 goals a season man in the premier league, I­ hope Man Utd do waste mega millions on him as he aint­ going to fill the boots of Ronaldo or Tevez.

    From resentdtox, on Sun 21 Jun 6:27AM

  5. zehst
    if we get maicon we have an experienced and quick­ defender who is brazilian like rafael so could teach­ him how to be better which will help him while we get a­ quality and quick right back
    wenger wouldnt sell­ walcott but would be a qualtiy winger at united
    maybe­ joaquin at right wing? then with senna in the middle or­ even melo from fiorentina and buy frey as he is a­ quality keeper

    From aarron1vines, on Sun 21 Jun 5:48AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Man U dont need a right back, they have Rafael who is­ amazing for his age. They need to sign Eto would be­ great with Rooney + Berbatov, Silva is a little weak­ for week in week out at the EPL. I would like to see­ Walcott or Young (but Walcott is better) take up the­ right midfield and have Nani on the left, hopefully­ Nani will come of age next season and be better than­ Ronaldo. He cost more.

    From zehst, on Sun 21 Jun 5:35AM

  7. between 15-20million

    on him no more

    From haidar.javed, on Sun 21 Jun 5:26AM

  8. with the 80 mill
    we should get maicon for right back­ (10-15 mill)
    silva for left wing (20 mill)
    eto'o­ (20-25 mill)
    then young and try get him for 20­ mill
    then with the money from winning the league splash­ out on benzema,xavi and iniesta which will creat an­ incredible team

    From aarron1vines, on Sun 21 Jun 5:01AM

  9. with the 80 mill
    we should get maicon for right back­ (10-15 mill)
    silva for left wing (20 mill)
    eto'o­ (20-25 mill)
    then young and try get him for 20­ mill
    then with the money from winning the league splash­ out on benzema,xavi and iniesta which will creat an­ incredible team

    From aarron1vines, on Sun 21 Jun 4:58AM

  10. i like to see benzema on man utd shirt. and Silva or­ ribery.

    From seid m, on Sun 21 Jun 4:36AM

  11. ADD ON to my number 4 comment , been on the utd sites­ over the tevez saga and i now know that in the last 2­ weeks REAL MADHOUSE have just killed football for­ everyone else , ALL CLUBS now want ho ho prices for­ ha ha players , real cebon ( fat pig) death

    From anthony h, on Sun 21 Jun 4:18AM

  12. Benzema will be a good choice for manutd,he will be­ able 2 xpress his talent,hp he come over soon

    From uyi o, on Sun 21 Jun 3:53AM

  13. If they can get him for around £25 million then I'd­ be quite happy with that piece of business.
    He's­ young and still needs alot of developing, but he could­ be a nice addition to the squad.
    Silva would also be a­ nice replacement for Giggs.
    Then we just need to look­ at another midfielder to replace Scholes, then­ we're sorted.

    From vulcanraven01, on Sun 21 Jun 3:26AM

  14. i'd rather go for some keane style beef ... gattuso­ or some one like that...

    From dean, on Sun 21 Jun 3:23AM

  15. i want to see some transfer action coming in ... we­ have lost ronaldo and now tevez.. i'd give­ wellbeck a chance but we need more depth in midfield...

    From dean, on Sun 21 Jun 3:14AM

  16. I'd take Gignac over Benzema any day! Fergie, look­ at his play both in the league and in the­ internationals and you will see Gignac is the better­ choice!

    From Dave, on Sun 21 Jun 2:11AM

  17. Benzema for 40mil - great long-term prospect, Eto'o­ for around 20mil - proven world class finisher and­ Valencia for 20mil - another great long-term prospect.­ Then you have replaced Tevez and Ronaldo with a bit to­ spare and without spending beyond income.

    From James D, on Sun 21 Jun 2:10AM

  18. i like to see benzema on man utd shirt. and Silva or­ ribery.

    From seid m, on Sun 21 Jun 1:59AM

  19. that is a good idea of sir alex because he is bringing­ in younger players for a replacement united
    will be­ amazing they are siging benzema and eto'o

    From charlotte, on Sun 21 Jun 1:55AM

  20. Agreed Jamie, £40 million for him? Don't make me­ split my sides laughing. He's a £15-20 mill type­ player at best.

    From chaka.malia23, on Sun 21 Jun 1:53AM
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