It appears that the cost of players is spiralling, with valuations for ‘stars’ seemingly plucked out of thin air by agents and club chairman. Apparently Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that Lyon hotshot Karim Benzema is his top summer transfer target and as a result the French side have upped their valuation of the young striker to £45m (The Guardian).

Previously Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs have also shown an interest in Benzema and whilst the French international is a class act, are any of these four sides going to stump that sort of cash?

Well, to start with it would seem that financial constraints would rule out a Rafa bid. Liverpool are also far more interested in spending what money they do have on securing the services of hugely influential midfielder Javier Mascherano.

'The French international is a class act but are any of these four sides going to stump that sort of cash?'


Spurs would probably have to sell big before paying a huge fee for Benzema, but given that it seems a wealth of players will be leaving in the summer, who knows what could happen? If Dimitar Berbatov did the unthinkable and left the club, that would make the situation plausible.

Arsenal are supposedly the biggest fans of 20-year-old Benzema. Arsene Wenger has been linked with the player for a long time; however, he very rarely spends large sums on one player. But maybe Benzema is the exception. If the asking fee was reduced significantly, to say the £20-£25m bracket that was being touted earlier, then who knows what might happen?