Lyon president hints at possible Benzema sale
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Lyon have revealed they may be willing to sell star striker Karim Benzema this summer.
France international has been tracked by Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, for the past few months.
The dethroned Ligue 1 champions have previously stated they have no desire to sell the 21-year-old. However, with the transfer market awash with money the club's president, Jean-Michel Aulas, has admitted a big offer may be too good to turn down.
Although Benzema himself has said he woud be happy to stay at Stade Gerland for another season, Aulas' comments are sure to alert those who have been keeping a watchful eye.
"Karim has said that he wants to stay another year at Lyon,'' Aulas told L'Equipe. "But I think that Kaka or Ronaldo maybe imagined remaining with their respective clubs.
"There is a tsunami called Real Madrid which provokes reactions at Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. So it is very complicated to say that he is non-transferable. Today, it's obvious we want to keep him.
"There is more chance he'll be at Lyon next season than that he won't be. 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.''
Benzema has scored 38 Ligue 1 goals in the last two seasons, with another nine in the Champions League, and was Player of the Year in France in 2007-08.
Inter Milan and Real have both been linked with £40m bids for the striker and Sir Alex Ferguson is about to be handed a transfer war chest following the world record £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu club.
France international has been tracked by Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, for the past few months.
The dethroned Ligue 1 champions have previously stated they have no desire to sell the 21-year-old. However, with the transfer market awash with money the club's president, Jean-Michel Aulas, has admitted a big offer may be too good to turn down.
Although Benzema himself has said he woud be happy to stay at Stade Gerland for another season, Aulas' comments are sure to alert those who have been keeping a watchful eye.
"Karim has said that he wants to stay another year at Lyon,'' Aulas told L'Equipe. "But I think that Kaka or Ronaldo maybe imagined remaining with their respective clubs.
"There is a tsunami called Real Madrid which provokes reactions at Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. So it is very complicated to say that he is non-transferable. Today, it's obvious we want to keep him.
"There is more chance he'll be at Lyon next season than that he won't be. 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.''
Benzema has scored 38 Ligue 1 goals in the last two seasons, with another nine in the Champions League, and was Player of the Year in France in 2007-08.
Inter Milan and Real have both been linked with £40m bids for the striker and Sir Alex Ferguson is about to be handed a transfer war chest following the world record £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu club.
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