Benzema future not necessarily at Lyon

The French international, who has netted 43 league goals for the Stade Gerland outfit since 2004, has long been linked with a move to Manchester United.

The likelihood of the youngster remaining in France had increased - despite the club failing to win the league title for the first time in eight seasons in 2008/09 - after the player expressed his desire to stay.

"I am 21 years old and I will have time to play for another club," he told L'Equipe.

"The clubs are going to carry on calling, everyone is looking for forwards. But I am fine at Lyon.

"If there is a huge offer and the chairman tells me I have to go, I would probably leave. But I will not go and see him to ask to leave."

However, the forward's future has since been cast in some doubt after the club's chairman, Aulas, hinted Benzema could be sold during the close season, saying every player has a price.

"He said he wants to stay. I don't want to sell. So he is here 99 percent," he told Le Dauphine Libere.

"However, Kaka should have not left Milan and he will join Real Madrid. We have entered spiral madness. Anyway I am relaxed. I won't say Karim is untransferable."