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Miralem Pjanic claims Lyon team-mate Karim Benzema is close to completing a £38million move to Manchester United.

Benzema has been a long-term target for United, with Lyon prepared to listen to offers if the France international expresses a wish to move.

Reports had previously claimed that Benzema was willing to spend one more season with Lyon in order to maximise his prospects of playing at the 2010 World Cup.

However, he could now be on his way to Old Trafford after Pjanic revealed the 21-year-old is ready to link up with the Premier League champions.

"Benzema is nearly gone to Old Trafford," Pjanic told Bosnian website Sportsport.

"The English club are willing to pay €45million (£38million) for him and it is just a question of the day when he will move to England.

"He does not have anything against going to Manchester. Our side will be reinforced by Lisandro Lopez, the Argentine forward from Porto."

Real Madrid and Arsenal had also been linked with the striker, but it appears United have won the race to sign the coveted Benzema.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is striving to replace Carlos Tevez following the end of the Argentine's two-year loan and Benzema looks to be his top target.

Ferguson has money to spend following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and wrapped up the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening.

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Karim Benzema had moved to Real Madrid from FC Lyon.

Sunderland have completed the signing of striker Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United for an initial fee of £3.5million, potentially rising to £6million.

The 21-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the Black Cats, after successfully completing a medical at the Stadium of Light.

Campbell spent most of last season on loan at Tottenham, where he helped the team reach the Carling Cup final before being ruled ineligible to face the Red Devils - who went on to win on penalties.[b]