Lyon President: Money The Key In Benzema's Real Madrid Move

The president also admitted that Trezeguet, Gignac and Remy are targets for Lyon...

Jul 2, 2009 1:34:01 PM

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Jean-Michel Aulas (Olympique Lyonnais)

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted that he regrets deeply having to sell Karim Benzema to Real Madrid but that he understands the player moving because "he will be able to treble his salary".

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The two clubs announced yesterday that a deal had been reached for the French international and that it will be worth €35 million, rising up to around €41 million with bonuses.

However, Aulas did not talk today about the transfer fee Lyon will be receiving, but rather the money that Benzema himself will be earning at Madrid.

"He earned around €4.5 million with Lyon, and he will now be able to earn around €8.5 million a year for six seasons," he told Le Progres.

The president was also asked about other transfers in the interview, including that of Lisandro Lopez from Porto.

Aulas revealed that he "will be in Porto tomorrow evening to try and conclude the deal", and also that selling Kader Keita is "a regret".

Finally he spoke about other potential signings for Lyon this summer, admitting that they are after a few French players.

"[Andre-Pierre] Gignac is true, but the negotiations are not easy, and there is also [David] Trezeguet. Then there is Loic Remy, but his return is not signed," he mused.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com

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