Lyon warn United off duo

Aulas in no mood to sell exciting youngsters

Last updated: 12th February 2008

karim benzema lyon

Benzema: In fine form

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claims Sir Alex Ferguson has enquired about Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa.

The highly-rated attacking duo have been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea rumoured to hold an interest.

Back in the autumn, Aulas warned any interested clubs that Benzema and Ben Arfa would not be sold until Lyon had won the UEFA Champions League.

The French champions meet United next week in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition and Aulas claims Ferguson has been in touch.

But the Lyon supremo is in no mood to sell the youngsters in the near future after United were linked with a £40million double swoop.

Building for future

"I told Sir Alex that Benzema and Ben Arfa will not leave in the next two years," Aulas is quoted in The Sun.

"We want to build our future on them.

"If he wants to exchange Cristiano Ronaldo for Ben Arfa we could talk about it, but they would have to also give us a bit of money."

Striker Benzema has scored 16 goals in 24 league games this season, while Ben Arfa has impressed on the wing for Lyon.