Real Madrid are now targeting Lyon striker Karim Benzema after failing to bring in Valencia forward David Villa.

Real are longtime admirers of both hitmen, but Villa trumped Benzema as Los Blancos' top target after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Valencia president Manuel Llorente has been steadfast in the face of immense pressure from his Real counterpart, Florentino Perez, and both men could not come to a compromise in regard to Los Che's prized asset.

This has forced Los Meregues to look elsewhere and Benzema, who is a highly-rated prospect in European football, fits the bill.

However, the French striker will prove to be a difficult target for Perez and co. Lyon have insisted that they will keep hold of Benzema, but their statements have always ended with a ‘but anything is possible'.

"Karim has long expressed his desire to remain with Olympique Lyonnais," OL president Jean-Michel Aulas said. "The club wants him to stay and restructure around him."

"Now it's true that the transfer market is very surprising and the news from Real, Chelsea and Manchester United makes me very perplexed. No-one is in-transferable, but knowing Karim, if he did leave, it would be to Real Madrid."

"For the moment, we are not talking about transferring Karim."

Benzema is valued at €40 million, with rumours indicating that Lyon would have to take on a cash-plus-player deal Arjen Robben or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Along with Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester United have also been closely linked with the Frenchman in recent times.