Benzema D-Day approaching

Stuart Mathieson

June 24, 2009

Karim Benzema

KARIM Benzema will return from holiday this Sunday and consider his future.

United have got the Lyon French international striker at the top of their hit list.

But the 21-year-old has indicated he is happy to remain at the Stade Gerland for another year.

The Reds are ready to test Benzema's resolve as they pursue goalscoring replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

Once he's back from his summer break the hitman will be brought up to date on the club's chasing his signature and the fact that Lyon have hinted that a big money offer would have to be seriously considered.

Benzema has been content at his hometown club and happy within a family atmosphere that promotes local products.

A move to Old Trafford would tick those boxes as opposed to the new Galactico era at Real Madrid who are also in the hunt for more firepower even though they've signed Kaka, Ronaldo and are set to capture Valencia's David Villa.

Reports in Wednesday's papers continue to link the Reds with a move for Sergio Aguero.

Transfer

And Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has heard nothing from United or any other club about a possible transfer and sees his long-term future at the Bernabeu.

Reports in the both the Spanish and English media suggested United were looking to invest some of the £80million they are set to receive from Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo on Euro 2008 winner Casillas.

However, Casillas was quoted by AS as saying: “There is absolutely nothing, neither from United nor another club. Neither my agent nor Madrid have informed me of any offer, and nobody has called me either.

“It’s speculation, which is what happens when the transfer market is open.”

Meanwhile, United are set to launch their new home strip on July 1.

Designed to celebrate 100 years at Old Trafford, the new jersey is red with a shallow black `V' on the front.

The centenary of the stadium will be celebrated next February. The kit United wore at the time was white with a deep red `V' on the front of the shirt.

Do you think United will land Benzema? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (36) |

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boyfromburrenway, exile czech republic (24/06/2009 at 09:24)

i dont rate our chances of getting him any more than 50-50, especially in next 3 weeks.

again , i say bid 13+ add ons for valencia , 12+ add ons for costa, swap nani for velosso and then sit back work out the best formation to optimise the skills of rroney anderson berba and valencia .. keep hands in pocket til market quiet s down and til we know waht happens with hargreaves, and how well tosic wellbeck +macheda improve.

let park, campbell,kitkat , gibson go to make way for others.
gigs neville scholes to play no more than bit parts.

liljames, Malaysia (24/06/2009 at 09:41)

must keep park... !!

dog hardy, manchester (24/06/2009 at 09:43)

Pay him a fortune for every goal scored if he dosen,t perform give him JUST Abasic of say 25,000 a week which most people would be extremely grateful for

Gilly, Belgium (24/06/2009 at 09:50)

Karim , i thought he didnt want to move !

UTD7, South Stand OT (24/06/2009 at 10:00)

I think this guys has the potential to be one of the best strikers in World Football. He has two quick feet, a great shot, heading ability, is fast and can take on defenders. I think Fergie has to do whatever it takes. Will we land him, I agree it is 50/50. We also need another forward in addition. Ribery would be great, if not I would have liked Van Persie but that is unlikely, (16 assists in an injury torn season which is more than Ronny). We should only get Valencia if we are getting rid of Nani. Finally I think we should take a punt on Gattusso as stop gap till OH gets fit. He won't cost the earth but can do a job.

ian , preston (24/06/2009 at 10:01)

I'd like us to go for Aguero,Sanchez and Costa!We'd heighten our profile in South America even further with those 3 on board!

MUFC1878 (24/06/2009 at 10:19)

The only thing with Benzema is that he has said he'd like to play for madrid one day (where have we heard that before?).

I really can't be bothered with all that nonsense coming up again in a few years time.

Excellent prospect yes, but his commitment may leave a lot to be desired.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (24/06/2009 at 10:34)

He doesn't sound to keen on a move going by the press reports does he, also casillas probably has a buy out clause of about 50 million anyway and isn't he married to the presidents daughter, so I cant see that happening, hopefully we make our moves soon but I suppose players are on holidays, U21 and conferdation cups are on.

danny, WILMSLOW (24/06/2009 at 10:35)

I doubt if United will buy anybody he may buy a few goalkeepers then sell them on at a loss!
Biggest club in the world and they are still in the starting blocks!

Fredrik, Sweden (24/06/2009 at 10:40)

Benzema is our only chance of signing a high profile quality player this summer. Aguero is a fine player but is too similar to Rooney and would be too expensive. Ribery is out of our reach and Silva is also unlikely. That leaves us with Valencia, Sanchez and Costa.

Did you watch Tosic last night? He would struggle at Port Vale.

Steve in Brussels (24/06/2009 at 10:50)

whether he wants to stay or not is fairly irrelevant. if Lyon want to sell to get the money as they missed out on the CH League and the related money he will be told he is going. Just like Figo and Kaka to real madrid. If I were Fergie I'd have a word with a certain french ex-striker of ours to go and give Benzema his impression of united.

danny, WILMSLOW (24/06/2009 at 11:29)

Its a pity Cantona does not p[lay some part at United!

Shaz Leicester (24/06/2009 at 11:32)

UTD7, South Stand OT good shout on Gattuso. I think we could get 2-3 seasons out of him and he would be a big hit with fans at OT (another Keano). He marked Ronny out of the game until he went off a couple of season ago and Fergie is an admirer due to his services and love for the Gers. He would be a good influence for Possebon and Gibson in showing them how to put their foot in and could even toughen up Carrick too (who's attempted tackle on Iniesta in the CL final was pathetic. Gattuso would have taken a yellow card for the team rather than let him run into the area). On Benzema put in a bid and get it sorted. The lad is 21 and will only get better and more expensive. Don't do Berbatov and Carrick where we could have picked them up for £10M and £2M rather than £50M

Rockefella, Warrington (24/06/2009 at 11:56)

I'm anxiously keeping track of the many transfer rumours and waiting for SAF to dip his toe in the water.
Lyon seem to be willing to sell Benzema at the right price and we've got a very swollen wallet at the mo so what are we waiting for? Benzema, Costa and Aguero would be fantastic flair signings to excite for the new season. All good ages, bags of potential....

Frank Old Trafford (24/06/2009 at 12:33)

Benzema can choose the club he goes to and he has always indicated his preference for Spain. If we got him it'd be a major coup. He'd be worth a major investment as he'd be a match for Torres, great talent!

KH (24/06/2009 at 12:38)

MUFC1878 So what if he wants to go to Real Madrid in some years? This is good buisness for United.. We buy young talents, develop them, have their best years, and then sell them to the Spanish circus for a megaprofit! brilliant!

MUTD the one the only, manchester (24/06/2009 at 13:02)

Why dont we just wait for fergie to get his buisness head on instead of speculating and chating a load of rubbish benzema has already stated he wants to stay where he is so if we buy him for rediculous amounts of money are we going to get the best out of him if he doesnt want to be here,valencia deal seems to have gone cold is someone hankering after more money and tevez although i apreciate everything he has done for us city are welcome to him and his money grabbing idiot of an owner and again lets have it right if he does go to city along with etoo and santa cruz not forgeting they already have bellamy and mr brazilian himself where is tevez going to fit oh ye on the bench again no cl and no real hope of getting there in the near future not even in the europa league, carling cup or fa cup so apart from being paid to do not alot with no silverware to show for it how good is he going to feel then

boyfromburrenway, exile czech republic (24/06/2009 at 13:16)

bbc have on their site now madrid intested in benzema ..according to MARCA..i think thats too flush out david villa.....

good shout gattuso, guy in the times wrote yesterday wenger intrested in that brazillian felpo is it? to be the hardcase along fabregas....one thing everyone seems agreed on here be it hargreaves or A nother we need a ball winning hard man asap...

danny, WILMSLOW (24/06/2009 at 13:26)

The sad thing is none of the big names want to come to United,Even Cantona was not wanted by Leeds.
We get plenty of young talent but thats where it stops!

Duncan, London (24/06/2009 at 14:03)

Danny who is the model team that United should follow? We seem to be absolutely useless.

Stockie (24/06/2009 at 14:17)

I repeat my comments on another thread a ferw days back:

This is a no-brainer. He's one of the few strikers in European football, of his age, that have the attributes we need. £35m is a hell of an amount of cash but for the 1st time in 5/6 years we can truely compete with the likes of Chelski in the transfer market. We've missed out on Essien in the past, we must take a punt on this kid.

The issue of him not wanting to move in World Cup year is a valid one. His fear of being unsettled, not hitting the ground running and subsequently being benched, I understand them all. However, surely SAF will take a calculated risk and assure the lad he will have time to settle and he'll get a long run in the team. Cannot imagine it taking much to convince him that playing alongside Rooney will only improve him as a player. Benzema to stretch the defence, Rooney to make most of the space, I can picture the one-two's and defense splitting passes now...

Spend the cash while we've got it, have add-ons if necessary, £2m per CL, £1m per Prem title, cups etc. We have to pay top money for these types of players, there ain't too many around to choose from. Imagine Essien in our midfield...

Pepe (24/06/2009 at 14:21)

Ribery wants to go to Spain, Benzema wants to go to Spain, Slatan wants to go to Spain, etcetera wants to go to Spain.

And we let go one to wanted to stay..........

Brian, Brussels (24/06/2009 at 14:33)

Stockie, very well said and I totally agree. If we dither again we will certainly lose out.

MUFC1878 (24/06/2009 at 14:45)

KH ,

Because I prefer players who show nothing other than 110p/c to United, and not have their heads turned by lucrative deals and disgusting wages (and beautiful weather).

That's what gets me too - what is the deal with these pansie's complaining about weather. They were scarves and gloves on the pitch, and a vest below their long-sleeved tops - get a grip!

UTD7, South Stand OT (24/06/2009 at 14:48)

I think it is just the press who are trying to making out players do not want to come to United alone. It applies to Barca, Cheski, Dippers, Bitters etc. At the moment all the players seem to want to go to Real Madrid because of the absolutely crazy sums of money they are prepared to pay the clubs and the players. Where are they getting the money from and how come FIFA and UEFA are not creating a big stink about it. Platini’s half hearted effort was pathetic.

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