REAL MADRID’S extraordinary and relentless summer spending spree continued to send reverberations through the football world last night when the club agreed a €35 million deal to sign the France striker Karim Benzema, a transfer that takes their spending beyond €200 million since Florentino Perez was reappointed as their galactico-obsessed president a month ago.
Perez has now signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Raul Albiol and brought in the man regarded as the most exciting young player in France, in a deal that could rise to €41 million depending on his success at the Bernabeu.
Benzema, the scorer of 23 goals in Ligue 1 last season, has been heavily linked with Arsenal and, particularly, Manchester United but Alex Ferguson’s long-standing admiration for the 21-year-old Lyon player never manifested itself in the form of a concerted attempt to bring him to Old Trafford as a replacement for Carlos Tevez.
Instead, United have left Madrid unchallenged to add yet another striker to their already bloated squad.
“We know his importance and his efficiency in our squad,” Claude Puel, the Lyon coach, said. “He’s an exceptional player but we also know the financial figures of the club.”
Lyon said in a statement: “The player wishes to take the opportunity offered to him by Real Madrid to become one of the key players in an ambitious new policy involving several of the world’s biggest players. Lyon has accepted Karim Benzema’s decision and negotiated the terms of a transfer which satisfies all sides.”
Benzema, who has helped Lyon win four Ligue 1 titles and has already accumulated 24 caps for France, scoring six goals in the process, was finalising the deal in Madrid last night while, back in England, Ferguson’s options now appear to have receded even further as he contemplates starting the season with only two senior strikers, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
Ronaldo’s transfer was officially formalised yesterday, with United receiving the money in one lump sum, and the indications from Old Trafford are that Ferguson is happy to sit on the money for the time being, despite having already spent €18.8 million on signing Luis Antonio Valencia from Wigan.
“Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United,” Ferguson said in a statement. “His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world.
“His contribution has been a major factor in the club’s success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over. Everyone here wishes him well.”
Ronaldo’s new career as a Madrid player had an inauspicious start, however, when he allegedly smashed a car window after being followed by photographers in Lisbon. A 17-year-old woman was reportedly hurt by flying glass and has filed a complaint to the police.
Hibernian have signed former Hearts youngster Danny Galbraith from Manchester United.
The left winger has signed a two-year deal on the day that Republic of Ireland international Alan O’Brien’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent.
Willie McStay has been confirmed as manager of Hungarian side Ujpest after leaving his role as Celtic reserve coach.
Celtic agreed to let the former Sligo Rovers manager take up the position as part of their link-up with the eastern European club.
Burnley have signed defender David Edgar on a four-year deal after his contract with Newcastle expired, while Wolves have purchased Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman. Bolton have confirmed the signing of Sean Davis on a free transfer after his contract at Portsmouth expired.
GuardianService
