MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted at his interest in Lyons starlet Karim Benzema.
The Reds boss watched the striker along with winger Hatem Ben Arfa last weekend, when a guest of Lyons president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Fergie will have a closer look at the pair when United face the French side in the Champions League this week – but he did nothing to quell speculation that he is set to move for the £30m-rated Benzema as well as Ben Arfa.
Amid rumours that he has already offered £21m for the player dubbed “the new Zidaneâ€, Fergie described him as a “possibilityâ€.
He added: “It is an area we tried to strengthen last summer and I don't think that's left us.
“I have big hopes for Danny Welbeck and he's progressing well but he's young. And we have Frazier Campbell coming back who has done well at Hull, but he's young as well.
“Benzema is only 20 and Ben Arfa is also 20. Lyons produce young players and Benzema is a local boy, which I'm sure gives them pride.â€
Benzema has confirmed his first choice is a move to Milan, but admitted he would be tempted by offers from United and Juventus, while Arsenal are also monitoring his progress.
Ferguson though knows the player won't come cheap, rating Aulas as one of European football's shrewdest negotiators.
"The president is a very clever man," he said. "He's so clever he can sell midfield players (Mahamadou Diarra) for £20m. That's amazing.
“That Jeremy Toulalan he bought from Nantes just sits and does the same job Diarra did. When they sold Michael Essien, they took Tiago then sold Tiago to Juventus for £6m.
"Eric Abidal, £10m for a left back. They're a well-run club."
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