Fergie's £21m for the Karim of crop

By Scott PIECHA

SIR Alex Ferguson is ready to make a £21million bid for Lyon's Karim Benzema.

The French striker, 19, is seen as the next Thierry Henry and Ferguson has told the Manchester United moneymen to do whatever it takes to secure the deal.

United were at Lyon's Champions League clash with Rangers last week to iron out details and after Benzema scored twice in a man-of-thematch performance at Ibrox, the price rocketed.

Ferguson had hoped to land him in a player swap deal only with Louis Saha and Mikael Silvestre on the table, but after Wednesday's dazzling display he's had to add £6m.

Saha has never fully recovered from injury and Ferguson has lost patience with him, while Silvestre wants to move for first-team action having been sidelined behind Patrice Evra.

A source close to United said: "United have had to offer more than they would have wanted for Benzema, but after his display the other night Ferguson is even more convinced he's grabbing a massive star."

United aren't going to stop spending in January either as they eye up Bordeaux striker Gabriel Obertan for £5m as Fergie is desperate to have four fit, worldclass strikers.

Ferguson knows he cannot rely on only Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez for every competition and sees Benzema and Obertan as players with the pace and skill to finish off his striking lineup for years to come.

United have been missing a targetman with Rooney having to be the main man up front, but with Benzema and Obertan standing at just over six foot tall they would be perfect additions to Fergie's squad. While the United boss has been wat ching Benzema closely since the start of the season, Obertan (pictured below) is a player the Scot has hoped to sign before.

The 18-year-old Frenchman was chased by Ferguson and Chelsea in the past before he signed his professional contracts with Bordeaux, but rejected a move 18 months ago to gain first-team experience.

Obertan was a star student at the French National Institute for Football where he was first spotted and Fergie is convinced he has his man this time around.

Ferguson will have the Premier League running scared if he can land two of Europe's top starlets.

If we get these two players, we will be the best side in the world ever. They are awesome on football manager 2008. We will win everything. Even the World Cup!!!

If we're shopping at Bordeaux, Bellion's the man.

I bought him on Champ Man and he was crap.


motwyw

Erm, who exactly is Scott Piecha?

I'm surprised it took them so long to come up with this one.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Erm, who exactly is Scott Piecha?

He's from Piechato£#%&!.com



Ears is a fan.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

He's from Piechato£#%&!.com



Ears is a fan.

Pie chat? Wiganste'll be a fan too then.

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Pie chat? Wiganste'll be a fan too then.

I liked that

Originally Posted by antonin jablonsky

Erm, who exactly is Scott Piecha?

sounds like someone from happy days

Originally Posted by dunk

But Benzema in and Saha and Silvestre out would see the squad almost perfect. A fourth striking option would push it over the edge....

I agree. Have only seen highlights of Benzema from the CL this season, but anything is better then Saha!

You can tell it's shit when they add statements such as

United were at Lyon's Champions League clash with Rangers last week to iron out details and after Benzema scored twice in a man-of-thematch performance at Ibrox, the price rocketed.

Ferguson had hoped to land him in a player swap deal only with Louis Saha and Mikael Silvestre on the table, but after Wednesday's dazzling display he's had to add £6m.

Never mind the fact he's already scored loads for Lyon and been capped and scored for France, now he's got two goals against the mighty Rangers his value skyrockets.

Originally Posted by dunk

I'm not too sure who Obertan is.

But Benzema in and Saha and Silvestre out would see the squad almost perfect. A fourth striking option would push it over the edge....

New right back

Originally Posted by dodger

New right back

Details....

Originally Posted by The Watcher

I agree. Have only seen highlights of Benzema from the CL this season, but anything is better then Saha!

You should watch the French games on Setanta (if you have it) Benzema looks a bit tasty. He's got all the attributes to play up top for us & he's been in the Lyon squad since he was 16 - the reports look fanciful to say the least. When was the last time we ever did a swap deal of any kind? Who can even remember any kind of swap deal?

He'd cost a fortune & if you were him, you'd look at Rooney & Tevez & wonder how much you'd play.

Originally Posted by Baron_van_Marlon

You should watch the French games on Setanta (if you have it) Benzema looks a bit tasty. He's got all the attributes to play up top for us & he's been in the Lyon squad since he was 16 - the reports look fanciful to say the least. When was the last time we ever did a swap deal of any kind? Who can even remember any kind of swap deal?

He'd cost a fortune & if you were him, you'd look at Rooney & Tevez & wonder how much you'd play.

if he fulfils his potential that he has shown till now, he will ahead of tevez comfortably... He does what tevez does and more ( in terms of goals and target man he can be)

Ferguson had hoped to land him in a player swap deal only with Louis Saha and Mikael Silvestre on the table, but after Wednesday's dazzling display he's had to add £6m.

nailed-on then

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

I can't see Lyon being willing to trade two 30-year-old crocks for their best player and one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe.

I would think the money to make up the difference would have to be significant.

At least £25m. Could be a goer next summer if Lyon are genuinely interested in those two. The offset in wages will appeal to the leprechauns.

Originally Posted by magic_cantona

He's from Piechato£#%&!.com



Ears is a fan.

dont get it

Originally Posted by waynes ear's

dont get it

Not my problem.