Lyon manager Claude Puel is adamant the club needs to hold on to star striker Karim Benzema during the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old signed a new contract in March, keeping him at Les Gones until 2013. However, he is still strongly linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester United.

Benzema is one of the most sought after players in the world at the moment after scoring 40 goals for his club and France over the last two seasons, and he admitted in December that he hoped to represent Real Madrid in the future.

However, Puel insists the France international will stay at Lyon for the time being.

"We have to keep Karim Benzema," he told Le Parisien. "It's essential and a priority for the future of the club.

"He needs another year to have the necessary skills to prosper elsewhere."