Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Lyon dismiss Benzema claims
LYON have dismissed Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that United were willing to pay £32million to sign Karim Benzema. The United boss was keen to use some of the world record £80million fee received from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo to bring Benzema to Old Trafford. However, Ferguson revealed he pulled out of the running when the fee went over £32million because he didn't feel it represented good value. Real eventually signed the 21-year-old, with Lyon now claiming the up front payment from the Spanish giants is only £30million. "Lyon deny categorically the information published today in daily newspaper L'Equipe, which said Manchester United made an offer of 40million Euros for the transfer of Karim Benzema," said a statement released by the now deposed French champions. "The maximum offer from the Manchester club was 35million Euros, which included eventual bonuses, and the director general of Manchester United, David Gill, had clearly stated that his club would not go above this amount. "Lyon point out that it finally accepted the transfer of Karim Benzema to Real Madrid, which was the absolute preference of the player, for a net minimum amount of 35million Euros, which could reach a maximum of 41million Euros dependent on sporting performance."[LNB]
