Just hours after denying that a deal had been agreed with Real Madrid for Karim Benzema, Olympique Lyon have confirmed that a deal has in fact been done.
A statement on the offiical Lyon website announces that the striker will cost Madrid €35 million initially and that with performance related bonuses the deal could rise to €41 million.
The message also explains the situation with Benzema and that he asked the president if he could move to Madrid sooner than expected.
"Some days ago, Karim Benzema informed president Jean Michel Aulas of his wish to join Real Madrid, always his preferred club after OL, sooner than he expected," read the statement.
"The player wished to seize the chance that Real Madrid offered to be one of the major elements in a team that has world-wide players.
"Olympique Lyon accepted the decision of Karim Benzema and negotiated the conditions for a transfer that satisfied both parties.
"The club wishes Karim every success with Real Madrid, which, in pursuit of its ambitious plans on the pitch, benefits from advantages in legislation (e.g. sponsoring and online betting with Bwin), taxation (more favourable tax status for players abroad) and property ownership (a privately-owned, value-generating stadium) that are incomparable with the situation currently prevailing in French professional sports."
Benzema will be the fourth signing of the summer for Madrid, behind Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.
James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com
Didier Drogba
