view photoMADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid have offered 32 million euros for Lyon striker Karim Benzema after switching their attention to the France international from Valencia forward David Villa, Marca sports daily reported on Sunday.
Marca said the French have yet to respond to Real's offer but last week Bernard Lacombe, adviser to Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, told Marca that "nothing is impossible and if we receive a good offer we will not close the door to anyone."
Lyon's director of communication Olivier Blanc said merely that "the only news is Real Madrid contacted Olympique Lyon a few days ago to discuss Karim Benzema."
"Benzema and Olympique Lyon confirmed his initial desire is to stay another year with Lyon," Blanc said, adding that was also the club's preference.
Manchester United are also admirers of Benzema but Real have decided to swoop now given the reluctance of Valencia's new chairman Manuel Llorente to sell them Spain striker Villa.
Real chairman Florentino Perez, who has already landed Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer for huge fees, has twice met with Benzema's agent Karim Djaziri, first in Madrid then Geneva, Marca reported last Wednesday as the chase hotted up.
As well as a cash deal, media reports in Spain say Real and Lyon could look at a part-exchange in the shape of either Real's Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar or his compatriot, winger Arjen Robben.
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Robben ..... , he is in his current state because of his rejection of Man Utd. SAF could easily have him into a world star just like CR.
its a shame as i dont think benzima would flourish at madrid as much as he would at arsenal where his chances would be better for international duty
Real Madrid = Ocean's 14th ???
Rule 1: Gather the most popular (and/or most expensive) faces in the book
Rule 2: Offer them large amounts of cash asking nothing in return (not based on performance)
Rule 3: Give them an uneventful script/scenario to play
Rule 4: Take lots of pictures cause you might never see those faces again together in any event worth the money
Rule 5: Ohyea bring back an old actor/legend still in the market for large amounts of cash (Zidane)
Result: Uneventful. No awards of any sorts. Popular faces likely to fade, cash appetite to thank for that.
Following year: Popular faces likely to scatter in more uneventful fashion.
I wouldn't bet on Real to reach the semi of the Champs League, and wouldn't even bet on the Liga title. Just as much as I don't think Ocean's 14th would get any Oscar anytime...just as much as Eto'o won't sign for the Barnum Circus of Man City for that matter.
random_access88
It's sad to say, but despite as much as i would fancy, i have to admit Robben is gradually falling into category of hasbeens. As precisely has been said Real are talent destroyers. I don't know why this is the case. Some hoodoo may be hanging over Real Madrid. I wish this hoodoo didn't affect newcomers at Bernabeu.
What else is new!.....Money and a variety of stars will not erase the real attitude of a club!!!
random_access88,
Robben has shown that he has the potential to be one of the best player in the world.
Sadly, this has not materialised and Real Madrid are not too keen on waiting.
Can't really blame them especially after Barcelona did the triple, not with that kind of money that they have.
Why wait when they can just buy..buy..buy?
Don't ship out Robben to leagues other than EPL, Serie A or La LIga. He'll be merely lost. Perez, why don't you keep him? He will make up potent, powerfull, plucky link with Real's future stars. At least use him as sub. Squeeze maximum out of him, he is capable of that. I'm certain.
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