How Barcelona Missed Out On Signing Karim Benzema

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema has been very colossal for the team this season as he has been helpful for the club this season as he is the leading goal scorer for the club and also top assist maker too.

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The 34-year-old is one of the best strikers in the game and has been performing at his best level in the last four-five years, but he has been with the club since 2009.

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He has been in the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo before the Portuguese left the club and he (Benzema) has become a leading player for the club since then.

But according to Sport, before making his move to Real Madrid, the French striker was a transfer target for Real Madrid’s rival, Barcelona and they were close to signing him a year before he joined the Los Blancos.

Barcelona were strongly interested in signing Benzema in 2008, just before Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager. Guardiola, who is now the coach of Manchester City, was keen on adding a new forward while getting rid of some senior players, including Samuel Eto’o, Deco and Ronaldinho.

Barcelona sporting director at that time, Txiki Begiristain, also did travel on more than one occasion to Lyon to discuss a possible move for Benzema, who was just 20 years old at the time.

However, a move did not materialise, as Begiristain was not convinced about the French striker’s personality and doubted if he could adapt to the change of environment at that age.

There was also a sense of reluctance from the player as well, as he wished to continue in France for another year, while Lyon president too also wanted to keep hold of the player at that time, having handed him a new contract not very long ago at that point.

In the end, Txiki Begiristain decided to overrule the move and Eto’o ended up staying at Camp Nou, helping the club win the historic treble under Guardiola. As for Benzema, he moved to Spain a year later in 2009, signing for Real Madrid in a deal worth €35 million and he hasn’t looked back since then.

Meanwhile…

Portuguese winger, Francisco Trincao may be growing frustrated with the lack of game time he is currently getting at English Premier League side, Wolves if his recent interview is anything to go by.

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The Portuguese winger joined Wolves on loan from Barcelona but has stated his discontent with his lack of playing time, having been on the bench for four out of the last five Premier League matches. “I’m doing my best for the coach [Bruno Lage] to think that [I should play more],” he told SkySports. “It’s his decision, I have to respect it. Of course, I think I deserve more and I’m trying to do that and show that every day.”

“I am just focusing on the things I can control which is the present and I’m trying hard to give my best and that’s all I’m thinking right now,” he further added when asked if he will continue with the club beyond his current loan deal. The player is on loan from Barcelona and has a €30 million release clause in the deal.

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(Sport and Skysports)

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