Lyon - Benzema could join United

Benzema: United interest

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Lyon's special adviser Bernard Lacombe concedes the club could lose Karim Benzema to Manchester United, if the Premier League champions make a big offer.

Benzema has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with United set to lose Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez over the summer.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to improve his attacking options and has reportedly been a long-term admirer of France international Benzema.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan are also rumoured to be fans of the striker, with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas hopeful of keeping Benzema for another season.

Aulas, however, admitted earlier this week that Lyon could still be powerless to prevent Benzema leaving Stade Gerland and it is a view echoed by his special adviser Lacombe.

"He is with us, but nobody knows what will happen," Lacombe told Progres.

"We didn't think Michael Essien would leave at the time, but when Chelsea arrived with the cheque...

"If United, who as we know have plenty of cash available, came and said we want to buy Benzema, what can you do? Not much."

Meanwhile, Lacombe confirmed Lyon's interest in Porto forward Lisandro Lopez, but denied being keen to sign veteran Spanish striker Fernando Morientes.

He added: "We are thinking of bringing in Lisandro Lopez , he is a quality player like Carlos Tevez.

"However we don't want Fernando Morientes. Five years ago we would have signed him without thinking, but not now."