REAL MADRID have got the better of Manchester United in the transfer market once again – after Lyon accepted a bid from the Spanish side for Karim Benzema

The £29.7million move from Lyon was sealed on the day that United also confirmed the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real for £80million.

The 21-year-old Benzema is now set to join Kaka and Ronaldo in signing a six-year contract at the Bernabeu after his French employers agreed to a 35million euro approach from Madrid, who with this deal will see their summer spending spree pass the 200million euro mark.

The fee could yet rise to 41million euros (£34.8m) dependent on performance clauses.

A statement posted on Madrid’s official website last night confirmed the deal, saying: “Real Madrid CF and Olympique Lyonnais have reached an agreement for the transfer of Karim Benzema, contingent upon the player’s medical examination and the signing of his contracts.

“The 21-year-old striker will sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid.”

Benzema will become Florentino Perez’s fourth signing since returning to the Madrid presidency a month ago, following the arrivals of Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.

Madrid and United had been vying for the services of Benzema but a deal appeared unlikely with Lyon continuing to insist that the player would remain at the Stade Gerland for at least one more season.

However, Les Gones announced the deal yesterday afternoon.

The statement said: “A few days ago Karim Benzema informed the club president Jean Michel Aulas of his desire to move to the Madrid club, which had always been his favourite club after Lyon, earlier than he had foreseen.

“The player wanted to seize the opportunity which Real Madrid offered him to be one of the major elements in their new ambitious project based around the greatest players of the world.

“Lyon accepted Karim Benzema’s decision and negotiated the conditions of a transfer which satisfies all the different parties.

“The club wishes Karim the greatest success with Real Madrid.”

The France forward came through the ranks at Lyon and burst onto the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as top the league’s scoring charts.

The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but Benzema nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions.

The confirmation for United that they have missed out on one of their targets coincided with Ronaldo’s world-record transfer being completed.

An “unconditional £80million” fee was agreed between the clubs last month and then came an announcement last Friday that the deal had been finalised and the world player of the year would become a Real Madrid player today.

A statement stated the transfer fee has been paid, prompting manager Sir Alex Ferguson to pay tribute to the Portugal winger.

He said: “Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world.

“His contribution has been a major factor in the club’s success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over.

“Everyone here wishes him well in his future career.”