Madrid Line Up Benzema Bid

Real Madrid might have missed their targets in the transfer window this summer but it seems they are preparing early for next year with Karim Benzema as the main objective.

It was a rather quiet summer as far as Real Madrid were concerned but rather than rue missed signings the chiefs in the Bernabéu now seem to be focusing on 2009, with Karim Benzema as priority number one this time.

The Frenchman has for a couple of years been regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe but despite the interest of a number of clubs this summer he decided to stay with Ligue 1 Champions Lyon.

The main reason for that might not have been his own personal resolve, but rather that of club president Jean Michel Aulas who is known to strike a hard bargain.

Aulas was the man who made Real Madrid pay €26 million for Mahamadou Diarra and who also held out on Michael Essien until Chelsea stumped up a larger fee. This summer he was in no mood to see his top player leave although the signs are he could be allowed to go next year.

The president is believed to have told Benzema that if he stayed this season then he would seriously consider selling him next year and would study closely the offers available. The player for his part is believed to have said, 'If they convince my president, then to play in Madrid would be a dream.'

Thus it is Aulas who is at the centre of the deal and it is unlikely that he will accept an offer of less than €50 million if he does decide to let Benzema go. This sum would not be a stumbling block for Real Madrid, who are believed to have €140 million available for signings, and would also mean they could pursue other targets.

The good news for Real Madrid fans too is that Benzema is not just a target of the directors but apparently Bernd Schuster is a big fan too, meaing that the club will be fully united behind a deal, for once.