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Manchester United have reportedly made an audacious approach to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, as manager Erik ten Hag steps up his search for a new centre-forward.
What’s the word?
According to reports in Spain, via Football 365, the Red Devils – as well as Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain – have made an offer to sign the France international in the New Year, with the 34-year-old currently having just six months remaining on his existing deal at the Bernabeu.
The report suggests that the La Liga outfit have only offered the veteran marksman a one-year extension to remain in the Spanish capital, while United are said to have offered a ‘crazy salary’ in order to tempt the prolific marksman into making the switch.
This comes following Ten Hag’s recent confirmation that the club are looking to sign a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese icon having left the club by mutual consent last month.
Cantona-esque
While it may appear that the Old Trafford outfit are targetting yet another short-term, centre-forward fix – after bringing in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Ronaldo in recent years – the addition of Benzema would certainly prove a real coup for the club, with the former Lyon man still arguably very much in his prime.
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1:39Man United considering ambitious Karim Benzema move
Teamtalk
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1:39Man United considering ambitious Karim Benzema move
Despite his advancing years, the £395k-per-week sensation is currently the reigning Ballon d’Or winner having helped to steer Carlo Ancelotti’s men to Champions League glory last term, scoring 15 goals in just 12 games in the competition in total.
The ruthless “genius” – as described by broadcaster Nathan Murphy – produced a number of clutch moments during the knockout stages of that European run, memorably netting back-to-back hat tricks against PSG and Chelsea en route to glory.
That prolific form was also replicated domestically as the evergreen asset scored 27 goals and laid on 12 assists in just 32 top-flight games, taking his total club career tally to 395 goals in 765 games across spells in both Spain and France.
Should the experienced ace – who has six goals in 12 games to his name this season – make the move to England next month, the hope will be that he can emulate the impact of compatriot Eric Cantona at the Theatre of Dreams.
The legendary forward proved an instant hit in Manchester after arriving from rivals Leeds United in 1992, going on to win four league titles and score 70 league goals over the next five years to solidify his status as a true cult hero.
While something of a footballing God among those of a Red Devils persuasion, the enigmatic figure was not a mere single-minded presence despite his undoubted self-confidence, having illustrated his brilliance as a team player after also laying on 56 assists during his time at the club.
That unselfish nature is also a trait that can be attributed to Benzema, with the Madrid talisman having seemingly sacrificed himself at times for the aforementioned Ronaldo during their time together in the Spanish capital, while he also boasts 187 assists to his name in his career to date.
Equally, the two are also alike due to their dalliance with controversy, with Benzema having notably endured a five-year hiatus from the France squad due to a blackmail scandal, while Cantona memorably suffered a nine-month ban for his attack on a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park in 1995.
Despite that baggage, both men are and were true masters of their craft, with having such a presence leading the line only set to be a real bonus for any side.
While Ten Hag and co may have a fight on their hands to prise Benzema from Los Blancos, it could well prove worth it to have a Cantona-esque talent to spearhead the attack.
Source:Footballfast