Benzema puts future on hold

Benzema: Stated ambition

You have to get out of France to improve, which is my aim. Lyon are a great club, but they are not the only one.

Karim Benzema
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Karim Benzema has revealed his Lyon future hinges on their UEFA Champions League fortunes.

The 20-year-old is under contract with the Ligue 1 champions until 2013, but his future has been the subject of much speculation.

The reported Manchester United target has been linked with several top clubs including Barcelona and Inter Milan, but the highly-rated striker has hinted that his future could be with Lyon if they shine in Europe's top competition.

Should Lyon make safe passage through to the last 16, they could in fact reduce opponents Barca's chances of landing the France International.

Benzema told Aujourd'hui Sport: "I'm happy at Lyon.

"I have no idea," he said, when asked about his plans for the future. "But I must say that I think I'm going to stay.

Wait

"What I want to know is how Lyon do in the Champions League before I make a decision. For the time being, there are beautiful things to achieve here."

Lyon's hopes of keeping Benzema long-term at the Stade Gerland were dealt a blow however with the forward's confirmation that he will look to move abroad in the future to reach the next level.

He added: "You have to get out of France to improve, which is my aim. Lyon are a great club, but they are not the only one.

"I still want to win big titles - a World Cup, a European cup...What I want to do is build myself a trophy room."