Soccer / Football : Spain : Primera Liga 2008/2009

Lyon have agreed to sell France striker Karim Benzema to Real Madrid. The 21-year-old is expected to sign a six-year contract and Real will pay a minimum fee of €35m, rising to up to €41m with performance bonuses. Benzema will become Real's third major signing under their ambitious president Florentino Perez, who has spent more than €200m on four players since assuming the presidency on June 1.

Benzema, who has scored six goals in 24 games for France, shone through the youth ranks and made his Ligue 1 debut as a 17-year-old in 2005. His best season was 2007/08 in which he was the league's top scorer with 20 goals. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery says he wants to join Real Madrid. "I have made up my mind, I want to leave. It will be Real or nothing," said the France midfielder.

Valencia have bolstered their back line with the double signing of goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya from Mallorca and defender Bruno Saltor on a free transfer from Almeria. Spanish media reported Valencia had paid €5m for 25-year-old Moya, who has agreed a four-year deal. Right-back Bruno, 25, has signed a three-year contract. They join other new signings Jeremy Mathieu and Angel Dealbert.

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of central defender Juanito from relegated Betis on a two-year contract. The 32-year-old has been with the Seville-based club for more than a decade, with his only other senior experience coming during a season-long loan spell with Recreativo Huelva. Juanito moves to Atletico as a free agent having reached the end of his contract with Betis.

Athletic Bilbao have announced the signing of Inigo Diaz de Cerio from Real Sociedad. The striker was keen to leave the San Sebastian team, who are stuck in the Spanish second division. Diaz de Cerio, 25, broke his right leg last season but appears to have fully recovered. He has signed a four-year deal with Athletic who hope he will provide the ideal foil to striker Fernando Llorente.

Racing Santander have appointed Juan Carlos Mandia as their new coach. The 42-year-old has reportedly penned a one-year deal with an option of a further 12 months. He just failed to lead Hercules to promotion from the Segunda Division last season and Racing will be his first top-flight post. Mandia has also coached Logrones and Real Madrid's B team, Castilla. He replaces Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz, who quit to join Malaga.

Sporting Gijon have reached a deal with Atletico Madrid to sign Miguel de las Cuevas for the next four seasons. The midfielder spent three years with Atletico but despite making it into the first team last year he was not part of Abel Resino's plans. Even though De Las Cuevas has left the club, there is a chance he will return, with Atletico having an option to buy him back after his deal with Sporting has expired.

Real Madrid have reached a deal to sign Spain defender Raul Albiol from Valencia on a five-year contract. Local media reported the transfer fee was around €15m. Albiol, 23, is likely to partner Portuguese international Pepe in central defence. Real Madrid have already spent €68m on Kaka and have agreed to pay a world record €94m fee to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in recent weeks.

Villarreal have signed goalkeeper Xavi Oliva from second-division side Castellon on a two-year contract. Oliva, 33, made 196 league appearances during a seven-year stay at Castellon and he will provide competition for first choice custodian Diego Lopez. Meanwhile, his arrival at Villarreal has led to fresh suggestions that Lopez could again be on his way this summer.