Real sign United target Benzema from Lyon
Benzema requested that Lyon let him move to Madrid
Also In The News
|
Yorkshire batsman Michael Vaughan has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect at Edgbaston today. |  |
Wednesday, 01, Jul 2009 10:24
Real Madrid have signed striker Karim Benzema, a reported target of Manchester United, from Lyon for €35 million (£29.7 million).
Having already captured Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul Albiol, the addition of Benzema takes Madrid's spending this summer past the £175 million-mark.
The Spanish giants have been looking to add to their forward options and had been linked with a move for Valencia's David Villa, but they have instead opted for the 21-year-old French international.
A statement from Real confirmed that the transfer details had been agreed between the clubs and that Benzema would sign a six-year deal with the club.
"The player will have his medical examination in the next few days, which will be followed by the signing of the contract with his new club," the Madrid statement added.
Benzema has been one of the hottest properties in Europe in recent seasons and has been tracked by top clubs since breaking into the Lyon first-team in 2005.
He has scored 43 goals in 112 appearances for the club and also played in the 2008 European Championships for France.
Lyon had been reluctant to sell the player when United inquired about his availability but the French side said Benzema's desire to join Real forced them into letting him go.
A statement on olweb.fr read: "A few days ago Karim Benzema informed the club president Jean Michel Aulas of his desire to move to the Madrid club, which had always been his favourite club after Lyon, earlier than he had foreseen.
"The player wanted to seize the opportunity which Real Madrid offered him to be one of the major elements in their new ambitious project based around the greatest players of the world."
The fee for Benzema could yet rise to €41million (£34.8 million) depending on performance clauses.