SIR Alex Ferguson will step up his pursuit of Karim Benzema now that Carlos Tevez' departure has finally been confirmed.

Lyon striker, Benzema, was always going to be at the top of Ferguson's shopping list this summer, with the United manager knowing Cristiano Ronaldo would quit Old Trafford for Real Madrid.

He also wanted to keep hold of Tevez, but the Argentine's decision to turn down a five-year contract has only intensified the need for more firepower.

The loss of both Ronaldo and Tevez has cost United two of their biggest stars - and Ferguson is desperate to replace them with marquee signings.

Benzema fits that bill perfectly, with a bid of around £30m likely to be enough to tempt Lyon to sell one of the most sought-after players in Europe.

The French club have softened their stance over the 21-year-old over the past week - all but inviting Ferguson to make a bid for a player he has tracked for more than two years.

Lyon sporting director Bernard Lacombe said: "Nobody knows what is going to happen. What should we do if Manchester, who have a lot of cash to spend, want to sign Benzema?"

Also on Ferguson's wish list is Franck Ribery, who despite Bayern Munich's insistence that he is not for sale, should be available at around £40m.

Warchest

Even with the £70m double capture of Benzema and Ribery, Ferguson would still have a massive warchest with which to plunder the transfer market - especially now that the £25m earmarked for Tevez is back in the kitty.

Gremio's Brazilian starlet Douglas Costa is a £20m target, while Wigan's Antonio Valencia is expected to sign for £16m.

And Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is convinced the Ecuador international will develop into a world class performer at Old Trafford.

"I think Antonio is the best wide right player anywhere and that includes Franck Ribery," he said. "If this lad goes to Man United he will be a sensation there.

Class

"Within a few months and over the course of a season the United supporters would come to worship this lad.

"We see him week-in week-out in games and in training and he's a world class player.

"He doesn't play the same way as Ronaldo. There is no show or flash, but he's a world class player and he'll take some replacing. No-one tackles him or takes the ball off him because they can't get near him.

"At the kind of money that's been talked about for Antonio he'd be an absolute steal. United appear to be getting £80m for Ronaldo and they would be paying out a fraction of that for Valencia so it would be great business because this boy has got immense ability."

Meanwhile, United have also been linked with Everton youngster Jack Rodwell.