Ligue 1 - Benzema 'can leave Lyon'

Eurosport - Tue, 30 Jun 10:56:00 2009

Lyon coach Claude Puel has admitted the club would let Karim Benzema leave if the striker wished to do so.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Ligue 1 Karim Benzema - 0

The 21-year-old is one of the world's hottest properties at the moment, with Internazionale, Manchester United and Real Madrid among the clubs reportedly considering a 40 million euro (£32m) bid.

Both Lyon and Benzema have always claimed he will remain at the Stade Gerland at least until next summer's World Cup, but Puel knows that could swiftly change.

"We know his importance at OL and his efficiency in our squad," Puel told the club website. "He's an exceptional player, but we also know the financial figures of the club."

He added: "We will evaluate the situation with him when he comes back - July 2 - what he wants to do, we'll listen to him.

"For several months he has said that he wishes to stay with us for the year before the World Cup.

"If he has any dreams of leaving we will discuss them with him if there are any concrete offers, which is not the case at the moment.

"So there is no 'Benzema problem' because the player is still with us. Ahead of a transfer which could be out of the ordinary, there is everything to consider."

Puel insists, however, that Benzema will only leave if the club manage to line up a suitable replacement.

"We will study the situation if it happens to present itself," he continued. "This doesn't mean that he will definitely leave Lyon.

"For any coach it would be a great loss to lose Karim. It would mean that we have to replace him - therefore it would be out of the question to lose Karim if one or two players of his calibre were not coming in."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 15 of 15

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. if benz go to madrid,he will not stand out with the­ likes of ronaldo and kaka, the truth is always bitter­ but i think the best team for you benz is mancherter­ united, go benz, go make ur name at old traford.

    From Benny nigeria, on Thu 2 Jul 12:29PM

  2. Benzema is a bright young man, look at the options 1.­ Go to Real Madrid get in line behind Ronaldo (who­ fancies himself..as a no. 10 type striker) Kaka,­ Hunterlaan, Raul, etc. or go to united and pretty much­ be first choice week in week out playing next to Wayne­ Rooney, probably never a better time for a striker to­ go to old traff.

    From Rykadia, on Wed 1 Jul 11:43AM

  3. It is a done deal,fergie has gotten his man after 2­ years of hope.He isnt going anywere but to Old­ Trafford,united will only build and be strong­ again,Liverpool,Chelsea,Arsenal can battle for 2nd­ place again.

    From fanatic_united_fan, on Wed 1 Jul 9:37AM

  4. goal­ website

    benzema-is-close-to-joining-manchester-united-­ lyon-teammate

    come on!!

    From Venugopal, on Tue 30 Jun 6:25PM

  5. man u will get him hopefully

    From oliverwood12, on Tue 30 Jun 4:57PM

  6. if arsenal sign him this whould be the arsenal team.

    ­ Almunia

    Sagna ­ Gallas Toure ­ Clincy

    Walcott Fabregas ­ Arshavin Nasri

    Benzema ­ Van Persie

    If ypu think different­ plaease say.

    From Susanna, on Tue 30 Jun 4:23PM

  7. what has he proved yet he has only had to play against­ low level opisition in the french leage. And in the­ champions leage only a few good teams at best have­ played against ol. Real madrid who are they against Man­ utd what did he do and lets not forget Nasri of Arsnel­ he was one of benzimas friends at ol what if anything­ as he shown us about the current crop of young french­ player only that they are ordinary at best made look­ world class by the lack of true world class clubs in­ france

    From timbcaycgi, on Tue 30 Jun 4:04PM

  8. Manchester United needs players like Benzema .
    To fill­ in the void left by Tevez and Ronaldo .

    Unlike that­ young little Valencia . Who is he to replace them­ ?
    Honestly , i do think Benzema prefer ManUtd .
    And i­ hope this news is true and Benzema is willing to leave­ .

    From ahn_sohee, on Tue 30 Jun 3:52PM

  9. It would be really difficult to say which team he will­ join he may not leave at all. But if he does go he may­ to Real Madrid because of the project they are building­ at the moment, the weather and not being taxed too much­ or he may not, he might feel he would not be given­ enough games due to the fact they have Kaka and Ronaldo­ and whoever else they may buy. At the moment I would­ put him as someone they need to shift shirts therefore­ he won't be guaranteed a place. He might come to­ United as he may feel that he would have more of a role­ in the team and build on his reputation. Personally for­ me if it is a dream for him to play for Real Madrid i­ would rather he went there as i do not want to have to­ deal with a Ronaldo like saga again.

    From jaytayo, on Tue 30 Jun 3:39PM

  10. I think he is on his way to Man United,I think it is a­ done deal if the truth is known.Fergie has something up­ his sleeve I am sure of that.Just get a feeling,it is­ the year of the world cup and if he moves to OT he will­ be a 1st choice for one of the best teams in the world­ and current world club champions.Goes to madrid and he­ could be on the bench.

    From TERRY K, on Tue 30 Jun 2:37PM

  11. i think he will go TO MANUTD

    From harke shivakoti, on Tue 30 Jun 12:33PM

  12. COME ON MATE.DO THE RIGHT THING

    From kuledX, on Tue 30 Jun 12:10PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    2nd

    From gerard, on Tue 30 Jun 11:29AM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    come to Chelsea!!! please.

    From leocirstea, on Tue 30 Jun 11:26AM

  15. Yeahh.. Come to OT, Benz..

    From ricat18, on Tue 30 Jun 11:00AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account