Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema almost joined Tottenham during his time as a Lyon player, according to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
Following his time at Anfield, Houllier went on to manage Lyon between 2005 and 2007 when Benzema emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young players.
Houllier is now back at Lyon as an advisor. Benzema, who scored 66 goals in 148 appearances for Lyon, eventually left the Ligue 1 club for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.
But according Houllier, Benzema almost became a Spurs player in 2007.
“At one point, Tottenham wanted to take him,” Houllier told Le Parisian (via Sport Witness).
“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.”
Benzema has won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid, so I’m sure he won’t regret turning down the chance to join Tottenham.
Funnily enough, Spurs have landed on their feet too.
After a few years of failing to attract top strikers following the Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov era, Harry Kane came out of nowhere.
Kane scored his 27th Premier League goal of the season against Watford on Monday night, which you can watch here.
Meanwhile, Benzema has found the net just five times in 28 La Liga appearances this term.
