Karim Benzema joins Real Madrid

Real Madrid have reportedly beaten Manchester United to the punch and signed Lyon striker Karim Benzema for about $61 million

The Spanish club would not comment on the reports but local media said it had happened.

The signing of Benzema, 22, would take Madrid's off-season spending to more than $435 million after adding Benzema to Kaka from AC Milan, winger Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and defender Raul Albiol from Valencia.