Real Madrid sports chief Jorge Valdano has welcomed their capture of Lyon star Karim Benzema. Valdano admits they turned to the Frenchman after becoming frustrated in talks with Valencia for Spain striker David Villa.

"Villa is out and Benzema is in," declared Valdano. "Benzema completes our goal of having a centre-forward with presence and aggressiveness. These are characteristics that he has."

Valdano also dismissed moaning from UEFA president Michel Platini over Real's incredible summer spending: "Real Madrid is the richest club in the world partly because we buy high class players. The dynamics of this business approach have proved successful in the past. This is a team that cannot aspire to be average, but be leaders and to get there it is not possible without the best players in the world."

Asked about Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, Valdano added: "No-one claims to be infallible. We just establish targets and try to meet them. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't.

"Some of our dreams may not come true this summer."