Eric Abidal has backed Barcelona's bid for Olympique Lyon ace Karim Benzema.

The fullback is a France teammate of Benzema and was at Lyon as the player was coming through the club's youth system.

"I really hope that Benzema signs for Barcelona," said Abidal. "It depends on him, he has done extraordinary things for his age at Olympique Lyon and I suppose if you want to grow then Barcelona will be the best place to do that."