The second coming of Real Madrid’s ‘Galactico’ era shows no sign of slowing, with the aquisition of Lyon striker Karim Benzema. The French international, of an Algerian background, has signed for £30M, which could increase to £35M, based on performances.
“Benzema will have his medical in the next few days,” said a Real statement.
Benzema, who will sign a six-year-deal at the Bernabeu, had been linked with a move to Manchester United.
The move was recommended by club advisor Zinedine Zidane (who was also a French international of Algerian decent) club president Florentino Perez after negotiations to sign David Villa from Valencia broke down.
A statement on the French club’s website said “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. Lyon accepted Karim Benzema’s decision and negotiated the conditions of a transfer which satisfies all the different parties. The club wishes Karim the greatest success with Real Madrid.”
Benzema joined Lyon’s youth academy at the age of 9 and progressed through club’s ranks before making his first-team debut aged 17. He scored 31 goals in 51 games during the 2007-08 season to finish top scorer in Ligue 1. Benzema scored 23 goals in all competitions last season but could not prevent Lyon ending the season without league title for the first time in eight years.
He also has 24 caps for the French national team, scoring 6 goals, and will hope that the move will help to further cement his place in a side that is currently struggling in their quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Real Madrid have now spent £148M on 4 players this summer, joining Ronaldo, Kaka, and Spanish defender Raul Albiol. And they could still try to get more…
Related Articles
No user responded in this post