Miralem Pjanic claims Lyon team-mate Karim Benzema is close to completing a £38million move to Manchester United.
Benzema has been a long-term target for United, with Lyon prepared to listen to offers if the France international expresses a wish to move.
Reports had previously claimed that Benzema was willing to spend one more season with Lyon in order to maximise his prospects of playing at the 2010 World Cup.
However, he could now be on his way to Old Trafford after Pjanic revealed the 21-year-old is ready to link up with the Premier League champions.
"Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford," Pjanic told Bosnian website Sportsport.
"The English club are willing to pay €45million (£38million) for him and it is just a question of the day when he will move to England.
"He does not have anything against going to Manchester. Our side will be reinforced by Lisandro Lopez, the Argentine forward from Porto."
Real Madrid and Arsenal had also been linked with the striker, but it appears United have won the race to sign the coveted Benzema.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is striving to replace Carlos Tevez following the end of the Argentine's two-year loan and Benzema looks to be his top target.
Ferguson has money to spend following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and wrapped up the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening.
Your Comments
bingo81
"Looking at some of the footage of the lad he looks like a strong forward who can take a ball down and good feet to carve out a chance. i always remember the goal he scored against Utd in the champs leage the other season, thought then he looks good, and who knows could this be the frenchman to replicate another frenchman at OT who was legendary."
MicktheManc
"Spanish papers are reporting that benzema will sign for madrid in a matter of hours .....I wouldnt be dusting off the tri-colours just yet . I think he'd be ideal for united but i'll believe it when i see it. "
Howlong_
"Eoinmufc dude why do you keep going on about Costa? He's played 18 games for Grêmio and a couple of games for the Brazil youth team...how in the blue hell is he going to survive in the Premier league.
Benzema is a very good player with great potential but 20+ goals for a 21year old in his first Premier league season...
And then he goes for Aguero, yep good player but he will cost 40m+...where's all the money coming from and remember you need a new keeper, new RB, new midfield and your throwing 80m+ on strikers, you know fergie can only play 11 guys at one time...
Looks at Eoinmufc ruffled hair, laughs, again, accepts he really hasn't a clue.
"
EoinMUFC
"We're going to need about three signings and a change of system to replace CR7, Valencia has the pace, dribbling and crossing ability (but not the goals), Benzema and Rooney are going to have to share the load up front in terms of goals... we're going to need 20+ from both of them!! We will also need the like of Nani and Tosic to step up to the plate to not feel the loss of Ronaldo...
I'm still hopeful of signing Aguero or the bigger gamble of Douglas Costa, we would have a v strong attacking line again despite losing two quality attackers...
Looking forward to a team built around Rooney and Benzema!"
mariopuzo
"I support united in and out, apart from getting players to reinforce, sir alex needs to put emphasis on passing and holding football unlike the counter and shoooting style based on the speed of the departing ronaldo, tevez and rooney. this lesson is highligted in uniteds defeat to barca in rome in may. carrick needs to harden up and other players like anderson and nani needs to raise ther gear. then a fourth unprecedented title wont be elusive."
fla5hboy
"And by the way F365 why post £40mil move in your headline then in your article state its only £38mil?? Just rounding it up are you? Remind me never to get a lend of money off you."
senordos
"SO... where will Rooney play ? Great signing though !"
fla5hboy
"Hope it happens. We need an out and out striker."
pickarooney
"What position is he going to play exactly?"
mgaffney
"Hopefully we can wrap up that deal soon as well. He looks a top player already at 21 should only improve. "
All comments on this story