Former Liverpool boss says Spurs almost signed Benzema

Matt Stead

Tottenham came close to signing Karim Benzema before the Frenchman joined Real Madrid.

Benzema was one of the hottest talents in Europe during his early years in his native France, with the striker impressing at Lyon.

The 30-year-old joined Real in summer 2009 for €35million, but was targeted by a number of clubs after scoring 55 goals in 99 games in his last two seasons at Lyon.

According to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, Tottenham wanted to sign Benzema long before he finally departed, and the player himself “was tempted”.

Asked whether footballers have become a little too impatient in seeking to leave clubs before their time, Houllier told Le Parisien, as kindly translated by Sport Witness: “Yes.

“Look at Benzema. At one point, Tottenham wanted to take him. He was tempted. But he and his entourage listened to me and Karim stayed in Lyon.

“Two years later, he signed for Real Madrid. Today, young people want money right away and to play every game.”