Barca Not Giving Up On Benzema

Drifter · 8th October 2008, 22:28

After revealing they failed with a summer bid for Karim Benzema, Barcelona have warned rivals for the Lyon striker’s signature that they are determined to stay at the front of the queue.

Benzema has long been linked with a move away from Lyon after announcing himself as one of European football’s brightest talents and Barca’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has confirmed the club did attempt to recruit the striker from Stade Gerland over the summer.

With the 20-year-old scoring six goals in his first eight games of the new French season it appears likely his name will feature prominently in the January rumour mill and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be a firm admirer of the France international.

A summer snub has not dissuaded Barca though and Begiristain is determined to see the player arrive at Camp Nou in the future.

"We've tried to sign him several times but it's never been possible," Begiristain told the French League’s official website. "We tried this summer, but he wanted to stay at Lyon.

"In the end it will be his decision. We have excellent relations with both him and his club and we'll definitely keep in contact so that he knows we want him, and that he wants to come to us.”

UBERScholes · 8th October 2008, 22:31

Henry to Lyon?

kouroux · 8th October 2008, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by UBERScholes

Henry to Lyon?

No way they'll carry his huge salary

reddev07 · 8th October 2008, 22:35

He probably will end up going to Barcelona. I doubt we will be interested now that we have Berbatov. However, I think the money being quoted for him is crazy. Yes, he is a very talented, promising young striker but I would like to see him prove himself in La Liga or the premiership

peterstorey · 8th October 2008, 22:36

Aulas will sell Benzema for 50M euros and buy Gervinho for two bob.

kouroux · 8th October 2008, 22:38

Gervinho and Karim have nothing in common in terms of football. Karim is surely the brighest talent to have played for Lyon in the last 15 years. It's gonna take a PHAT fee to sign him.

peterstorey · 8th October 2008, 22:57

Aulas will sell Benzema for 50M euros and buy Gervinho for 1 euro.

Alex · 8th October 2008, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kouroux

Gervinho and Karim have nothing in common in terms of football. Karim is surely the brighest talent to have played for Lyon in the last 15 years. It's gonna take a PHAT fee to sign him.

Essien certainly has to be considered as well

Canuckred64 · 8th October 2008, 23:08

Any idea how much Barcelona offered?

kouroux · 8th October 2008, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Essien certainly has to be considered as well

Indeed but Karim is much younger

Donut · 8th October 2008, 23:15

He's Barca bound, he's supposed to be a fan of theirs. I know that doesn't mean a lot today but they want him and he doesn't want to come to England so it seems very likely.

Suedesi · 8th October 2008, 23:36

We don't need him. Not anytime soon anyways.

VoetbalWizard · 9th October 2008, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donut

He's Barca bound, he's supposed to be a fan of theirs. I know that doesn't mean a lot today but they want him and he doesn't want to come to England so it seems very likely.

he's not a barca fan all that much. he just rates la liga and serie a higher than the premiership and has no wish to play in england.

Anduin · 9th October 2008, 07:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suedesi

We don't need him. Not anytime soon anyways.

Agreed.
Even though the muppet in me says we might take another look at him if we sell Ronaldo next summer. But my brain says we'll need two traditional wingers if Ronaldo is off to Spain. I admire Benzema, one of the top prospects of European football and currently one of my favourite non-United players. He'll be a world beater in a few years time.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 9th October 2008, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

Aulas will sell Benzema for 50M euros and buy Gervinho for two bob.

Spot on

Cal? · 10th October 2008, 04:11

He's going to Real Madrid, you heard it hear first.

ALX8725 · 10th October 2008, 04:23

where ever he goes, he will definitely join the ranks of this current generation's World Class footballers, he IS that good.

jojojo · 10th October 2008, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal?

He's going to Real Madrid, you heard it hear first.

Nah - I read it in Marca yesterday!

It's a possible - Madrid are in the curious position of having cash in the bank and an election campaign coming up.

8th October 2008, 22:28	#1 (permalink)
Drifter First Team Regular Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17,356	Barca Not Giving Up On Benzema After revealing they failed with a summer bid for Karim Benzema, Barcelona have warned rivals for the Lyon striker’s signature that they are determined to stay at the front of the queue. Benzema has long been linked with a move away from Lyon after announcing himself as one of European football’s brightest talents and Barca’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has confirmed the club did attempt to recruit the striker from Stade Gerland over the summer. With the 20-year-old scoring six goals in his first eight games of the new French season it appears likely his name will feature prominently in the January rumour mill and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to be a firm admirer of the France international. A summer snub has not dissuaded Barca though and Begiristain is determined to see the player arrive at Camp Nou in the future. "We've tried to sign him several times but it's never been possible," Begiristain told the French League’s official website. "We tried this summer, but he wanted to stay at Lyon. "In the end it will be his decision. We have excellent relations with both him and his club and we'll definitely keep in contact so that he knows we want him, and that he wants to come to us.”

8th October 2008, 22:31	#2 (permalink)
UBERScholes I'd find it flattering if someone hard rubbed against me. Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10,899	Henry to Lyon?

8th October 2008, 22:35	#4 (permalink)
reddev07 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Salford Posts: 1,098	He probably will end up going to Barcelona. I doubt we will be interested now that we have Berbatov. However, I think the money being quoted for him is crazy. Yes, he is a very talented, promising young striker but I would like to see him prove himself in La Liga or the premiership

8th October 2008, 22:36	#5 (permalink)
peterstorey Winner of the 'Most pompous arrogant pretentious Gooner' title 2004 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Happy those, who can remain at Highbury! Posts: 9,036	Aulas will sell Benzema for 50M euros and buy Gervinho for two bob.

8th October 2008, 22:38	#6 (permalink)
kouroux Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Poitiers (France) Posts: 4,636	Gervinho and Karim have nothing in common in terms of football. Karim is surely the brighest talent to have played for Lyon in the last 15 years. It's gonna take a PHAT fee to sign him.

8th October 2008, 22:57	#7 (permalink)
peterstorey Winner of the 'Most pompous arrogant pretentious Gooner' title 2004 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Happy those, who can remain at Highbury! Posts: 9,036	Aulas will sell Benzema for 50M euros and buy Gervinho for 1 euro.

8th October 2008, 23:08	#9 (permalink)
Canuckred64 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 891	Any idea how much Barcelona offered?

8th October 2008, 23:15	#11 (permalink)
Donut Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Champions! Posts: 606	He's Barca bound, he's supposed to be a fan of theirs. I know that doesn't mean a lot today but they want him and he doesn't want to come to England so it seems very likely.

8th October 2008, 23:36	#12 (permalink)
Suedesi First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New York City Posts: 9,254	We don't need him. Not anytime soon anyways.

10th October 2008, 04:11	#16 (permalink)
Cal? from Redcafe (matchfixing department) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: We want our own TV deal... Posts: 11,722	He's going to Real Madrid, you heard it hear first.

10th October 2008, 04:23	#17 (permalink)
ALX8725 reyalP maeT htuoY Join Date: May 2007 Location: Would rather walk alone. Posts: 2,259	where ever he goes, he will definitely join the ranks of this current generation's World Class footballers, he IS that good.