United's £30m Ben raid

June 01, 2008

UNITED are reportedly ready to make a mega-money swoop for French international forward Karim Benzema.

The Lyons striker has long-been a target for Sir Alex Ferguson and the United manager is said to have put him at the top of his wish list.

Fergie has made no secret of his intention to recruit a free-scoring centre forward with Louis Saha's injury problems a continuing concern.

The United manager is reportedly ready to make a £30m bid for Benzema who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane in his homeland.

And Fergie knows he must act quickly, fearing the 20-year-old's value could rocket if he has a good Euro 2008.

Benzema is not the only striker in United's sights with Sevilla forward Fabiano, Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and West Ham's England striker Dean Ashton also under consideration.

But Benzema has emerged as Fergie's first choice with United hoping to tie up a deal within the next seven days if possible.

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Deano58 (01/06/2008 at 17:23)

This wouldn't be United leaking stories to the press to unsettle a team's star player would it ? Perish the thought !

Sandalf, Harrogate (01/06/2008 at 17:30)

Of all the players we've been linked with this is the one that I'm really excited about. Missing out on Torres last year was a shame but this guy is fantastic. Just the kind of player to play in front of Rooney to free him up to do what he does best. Quick, strong and pretty good in the air. Its probably a non-story though as it seems that Benzema wants to stay at Lyon for the time being and then go to Spain or Italy, but its nice to dream. Not sure about Fabiano or Huntelaar, and I don't think Berbatov's shown himself to have the attitude of a United player.

Red Dawn (01/06/2008 at 17:36)

He would be the ideal signing for United and I think £30 million would be enough to secure his signature.

However, he has said he wishes to remain with Lyon for another season but perhaps £80,000 a week at United could make him think twice.

spiky, France (01/06/2008 at 17:39)

Where do all these reports come from? wish they are true for once..

REDSEADOG, lovely thank's (01/06/2008 at 17:40)

Get this young guy bought and soon this is the way forward and this guy will score goals galore,sign him on a 5 year deal plze alex,then lets see him hammer ruuds and ronnies record,i think this guys total class a diamond.

A Mancunian, Manchester (01/06/2008 at 17:44)

Well done MEN. Let's tell the whole world United's transfer plans. It's quite possible Kenyon stopped reading the MEN when he moved to London. While you're at it, e-mail this story to him.

For heaven's sake!

ian, preston (01/06/2008 at 17:50)

Hope we get him,He's the one that can be groomed by Fergie into a superstar!This lad has got the lot,with alittle help of our coaches and playing alongside our team can only help him improve even more.

RedDerby (01/06/2008 at 18:01)

This could only be MEN's psychology to soothe our broken hearts from the Ronaldo saga. But you pray this turned out to be true overnight. United could realy lift us up from the Ron hell by making this story a reality. There's no single striker suitable for us at the moment, save this lad. I would even paid 35m for Benzema.

Gee28, New York (01/06/2008 at 18:05)

Benzema would be a 'fantasy' signing, but I can't see this happening, mainly because the Lyon president is notoriously difficult to do a deal with, & also Benzema has repeatedly said that he has no interest in leaving Lyon (just signed a new contract).

I would love to be proved wrong because he is the most exciting striker that i have seen since Ronaldo(Brazil). He has everything we need in a foward, pace, strength, good finisher, good in the air, two good feet, young(20) & great movement.
Can you imagine this team (if we pulled this off, as well as Richards) ; Vds, Richards, Rio, Vidic, Evra, (Carrick or Hargreaves),Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Benzema.
In a 4-2-3-1 system, rooney could finally get to play in his BEST position in this team also.

Red Dawn (01/06/2008 at 18:07)

A Mancunian,

What are you talking about?

It's transfer speculation and no more and, if you must know, the story originally came from the Sunday People.

The whole of Europe wants to sign Benzema and it's no secret Fergie is a big admirer.

manu xpert (01/06/2008 at 18:18)

(sandalf harrogate) i agree with everything on your post. he is already a great striker and like i mentioned before we need someone who could score out of nothing, and he is one of them along torres,drogba,etto. i don't like huntelaar or berbertov as they are too slow for our attacking system. ( red dawn ) i had a good laugh about the 80grand a week mate! but i think you are 100 percent right! give him what he want's and sign him united.

Jack Thorley Trafford, Trafford (01/06/2008 at 19:19)

I naturally assume that United have already put a written offer to Lyon before allowing this story to be published we would not want the soccer world to think that United are trying to unsettle a player under contract with another club would we?

Rudy 2008, United States (01/06/2008 at 19:19)

1) Sell Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £100m
2) Buy Benzema and Ben Arfa from Lyon for £50M (along with Saha if they want him)
3)Buy Alves
4) Buy Peloso
5) Buy Aaron Ramsey (loan to Sunderland)

Improve the team with cash to spare!

Done and done.

bobbyc, manchester (01/06/2008 at 19:34)

Peter Kenyon is still pondering why he ,of all people was given a medal ? What a joke for the biggest turncoat of all time!

Bradley (01/06/2008 at 19:54)

Would be the ideal signing. Also if he's bought sooner rather than later, the knock on effect of Ron's sky high transfer fee won't add a few million onto the final sum.

Really hope Untied sign him but not convinced it's anything other than media speculation!

Newton Heath F.C. (02/06/2008 at 00:10)

What a prospect,What a striker.....
This lad looks the part.Much prefer him to Berbatov.
Finally getting rid of 'Balsa Man' Louis Saha.He's been a liability to United in his years at the club,and is a very long way from equalling Ryan Giggs's appearances for the Reds....
Ooh Aah Benzema.....!

Pat (02/06/2008 at 02:31)

Get him signed up! Can you imagine our attacking options with this guy in the team as well? He;s young too!

mater03 (02/06/2008 at 08:36)

Would be a great acqiusition and we could finally get rid of "glassman"-Saha. I don't think he is the one labelled the next Zizou though, im quite sure that is Samir Nasri of Olym. Marseille.

Davey Boy, Kuwait (02/06/2008 at 08:54)

Funny how this has crept into the news with whats going on with CR....I expect things are sorted behind the scenes and have a suspicion that CR is on the way this guy is by all accounts a very good replacement....its all going to happen soon!

THAT BOY RONALDO, Manchester (02/06/2008 at 09:54)

I told you all months ago that this deal was already done. Benzema is on his way to United. Watch this space!

The Chosen 1 (02/06/2008 at 10:32)

THAT BOY RONALDO.

How can you be so sure that this deal is going to happen?
I would love to believe because as most fans say it would be a dream signing. Benzema really is the best young striker in the world and would be better than Torres without doubt, you mark my words.

BUT if you can give me a reason to believe you that would make my summer, and I will thank you for breaking the story first. THAT BOY RONALDO TELLS US HOW YOU KNOW. GGMU!!!!!!!!!!

REDFORLIFE (02/06/2008 at 12:09)

bring this guy for any price.if they ask for 35m,pay them and buying a right back and we will be sorted for next season.

THAT BOY RONALDO, Manchester (02/06/2008 at 14:37)

The Chosen One, I know because I know someone very high up in United. The deal was done in January, and Saha is going the other way plus a hefty amount of cash. The deal will be announced after the Euros. When I said this before I got shot down by many on here. I can understand why some people may not believe me, but at the end of the day, I have nothing at all to gain from lying on here.

The Chosen 1 (02/06/2008 at 15:06)

THAT BOY RONALDO. I really really am starting to belive you now. However I have one question if he is going to sign as you say he is, why did he sign an extension with lyon? and why has he said on several occasions that he would prefer to play in spain?

I am going to stand by what you say because I think it could happpen too, if it doesn't I going to post you another message mate haha GGMU

BrewDevil, Clemson,USA (02/06/2008 at 15:26)

Probably all this story is meant to achieve is to get chelski to buy him for 40 mil so we can then get Berbetov for 18-20, since no one will be left who will pay more than that for him.

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