Karim Benzema responds to Man Utd transfer link after Sir Alex Ferguson talks
Karim Benzema has shut down suggestions that he could leave Al-Ittihad this month to join a Premier League club.
The legendary Real Madrid striker, 36, quit the Bernabeu in the summer to join the exodus of high-profile stars who sealed lucrative transfers to the Saudi Pro League, but there have been several reports claiming Benzema is already angling for a return to Europe.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson tore up his lucrative contract with Al-Ettifaq after just six months to join Ajax last week, while Aymeric Laporte recently revealed there were 'plenty of dissatisfied players' in the Gulf State.
Not only has Benzema been linked to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, but a return to his former club, Lyon, has also been touted. But the veteran has now emphatically denied such claims via French outlet L'Equipe, saying: "It's completely false! The French media don't know what to invent any more. The bigger the better."
Benzema's reluctance to entertain a move away from Saudi Arabia means Manchester United are set to miss out on the Frenchman for a second time.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Old Trafford legend Sir Alex Ferguson was an admirer of the striker, with former United defender Rio Ferdinand telling BT Sport that he even tried to talk Benzema into a move in the tunnel after a match with Lyon back in 2008.
He recalled: "Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign him after that game. Sir Alex was speaking to him in the tunnel after the game and I remember some of their officials came and ushered him away. Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him. I played that game and, straight away, saw his movement. Beautiful footballer."
Join the debate! Would Benzema be a good signing for Man Utd now? Let us know here.
Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Benzema from Lyon back in 2009 (Daily Mirror)United had cash to splash at the time after selling Cristiano Ronaldo for a then-world record fee, but Ferguson revealed that they were reluctant to go over their valuation for the striker, who went on to join Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
"We tried to spend [the Ronaldo money] on Karim Benzema as, at 21, I felt that there would be an improvement there," Ferguson said shortly after Benzema left Lyon.
"He is tough, good physique, a good goal-scoring record, so it was worth going a wee bit extra for him because of his age. But when it went to £42 million, it was beyond his value. We went to £35m and I think that was fair."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
