Another one to the Bernabeu?

Real Madrid are ready to buy Karim Benzema from Lyon £30m but could possibly rise to £35m depending on his success. The 21 year old French international was also reported to be a target for Man UTD but is certain to sign for Real, set to join the new boys, Kaka, Raul Albiol, and Cristiano Ronaldo. (With all three totaling £148m so far.)

Former player Zidane, who is now an adviser at Real, is believed to have recommended Benzema to club president Perez after talks with David Villa to join the new Galacticos went belly up.

"Lyon announce they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid on the details of the transfer of their international attacker Karim Benzema," said a statement on the Lyon website. "A few days ago Karim Benzema informed the club president Jean Michel Aulas of his desire to move to the Madrid club, which had always been his favourite club after Lyon, earlier than he had foreseen. "The player wanted to seize the opportunity which Real Madrid offered him to be one of the major elements in their new ambitious project based around the greatest players of the world." Lyon accepted Karim Benzema's decision and negotiated the conditions of a transfer which satisfies all the different parties. According to Lyon, "the club wishes Karim the greatest success with Real Madrid."

Benzema joined Lyon's youth setup at the young age of nine and came through the club's ranks before making a first-team debut at age 17. He scored 31 goals in 51 games during the '07-'08 season and finished Ligue 1 top scorer. Benzema scored 23 goals in all competitions last season but could not prevent Lyon ending the season without league title for the first time in eight years. The striker is now expected to sign a six-year contract when he completes his move to Real Madrid.

If Benzema does in fact join Real, it will be interesting to see how many games he plays with Kaka, Ronaldo, Raul, Huntelaar, Van Nistelroy, Higuain, who can all play as strikers. But Iguess these days you cannot have too many strikers, right?.......or can you?