Benzema eyes Spanish move

Benzema: Wants Spanish move

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  • Olympique Lyonnais
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• Karim Benzema

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Karim Benzema has stated that he will join Barcelona or Real Madrid next summer after deciding to leave Lyon.

The French forward was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United before Dimitar Berbatov's arrival at Old Trafford but a number of other European heavyweights have also been tracking his progress.

The 20-year-old has come up through the ranks at Lyon but has now revealed that he will be ready to exit his boyhood club at the end of the season.

Benzema has set his sights on a move to Spain and has invited Barca and Real to vie for his signature.

"My future? I like Spain. Next year I will play for Barca or Madrid," he told France's Stade 2 programme.

Reports suggest that Lyon may allow Benzema to leave the club, but it will be on their own terms and they are believed to be only prepared to listen to offers that could break the world record transfer fee.

One criticism of Benzema is that he is not yet ready to step up and become a star at one of Europe's biggest clubs, but the player himself thinks that is unfair.

He said: "Some people have said I cannot play at the highest level. How ridiculous. I have a lot to learn and am still growing.

"I am only 20 and am working hard to improve all the time."