Benzema opts for Lyon stay
14 Mar 2008 - 07:38:35
Manchester United may have to wait to lure Karim Benzema away from Lyon after the striker signed a new long-term contract with the French club.
The highly-rated 20-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford of late and saw his stock rise with a first-leg goal when United recently edged out the French champions in the first knockout round of the Champions League.
The France international has also been linked with a host of leading clubs across Europe, but for now Benzema will be staying with Lyon after putting pen to paper on a new deal until at least 2013.
"I'm happy in Lyon. I was born here, I live here and I want to continue learning at Olympique Lyonnais," he told the club's official website.
"Everyone has faith in me, my team-mates are behind me. I really want to win lots of titles, starting with a cup-league double this season and I'd love to one day win the Champions League with Lyon. There's still so much to do.
"I can't say how long I'll be here, maybe another two or three years.
"The moment will come, we'll decide it together with the president."
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas added: "With sporting ambition comes financial ambition.
"We've done what we thought was necessary so Karim wouldn't be embarrassed to compare what he gets with what he would have got abroad.
"We've done the most possible, he completely deserves it.
"It was necessary that he not only felt good here but that he had the salary he deserves with his talent, which is immense. We're staking a lot on him."
