France striker Karim Benzema looks set to join Real Madrid from Lyon in a deal worth €35 million. Madrid and Manchester United have been vying for the services of the 21-year-old but Lyon had insisted the France international would remain at the Stade Gerland for another season at least.
However, Les Gones announced on their official website this afternoon they have accepted a fee of at least €35m from Madrid for the player, with performance clauses set to see that fee rise to €41million.
If he agrees personal terms, the 21-year-old will be Real's third major signing after Brazil's Kaka and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Lyon announce they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid on the details of the transfer of their international attacker Karim Benzema," the statement read.
"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 will become Florentino Perez's fourth signing since returning to the Madrid presidency a month ago, following the arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.
The France forward came through the ranks with the French giants and burst onto the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as top the league's scoring charts.
The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but Benzema nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions - an average of a goal every other game.
The deal will take Madrid's summer spending to over €200 million.
KARIM BENZEMA FACTFILE
1987: Born December 19 in Lyon, France.
1996: Joins Lyon's youth academy at the age of nine.
2004: May- Part of the France team that wins the European Under-17s Championship in his home country.
2005: January 15- Makes his Lyon first-team debut as a substitute against Metz.
January 20- Signs his first ever professional contract, a three-year deal with Lyon.
December 6- Scores his first Champions League goal in a 2-1 win over Rosenborg at the Stade Gerland.
2006: December:Called up by Algeria to play for their national team, but turns down the offer.
2007: March 28- Wins his first cap for France against Austria and scores the only goal of the game.
2008: March 13- Extends his Lyon contract until 2013 with a one-year extension option.
May- Finishes as Ligue 1's top scorer after netting 20 times during the season. Named Ligue 1 player of the year.
2009: July 1 -Lyon accept a minimum 35million euro bid from Real Madrid for the France international's services.
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