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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.

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