[size=18]Papers: Benzema en route?
United close to Benzema deal
Manchester United were said to be moving closer last night to signing Karim Benzema, the France striker, from Lyons. On the day that United announced the £15.25 million signing of Antonio Valencia, the Ecuador winger, on a four-year contract from Wigan Athletic, Miralem Pjanic, Benzema's team-mate at Lyons, claimed that the player was on the verge of a British-record move to Old Trafford. Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford, Pjanic, the midfield player, said. The English club are willing to pay close to 45 million [about £38 million].
James Ducker, The Times
The Daily Star agrees that United's next signing will be coming from Ligue 1, but insists it will be 23-year-old Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, rather than Benzema. The £11m-rated forward was the top scorer in the French top flight last term, bagging 24 goals.
Lee Martin will be one of the first players to make way for new arrivals, according to The Daily Mirror, who claim the winger will be on his way to Roy Keane's Ipswich Town in a £2million deal.
One United stalwart who won't be leaving Old Trafford is defender Nemanja Vidic. The Serbian has once again voiced his desire to stay with the Reds, despite interest from AC Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona.[/size]









