Sunday, 25th August, 2013
Speculation from the British media that Karim Benzema could join Arsenal this summer has been comprehensively rubbished by the player's agent, who insists his client is staying put at Real Madrid.
Arsenal are desperate to sign world-class players before the summer transfer window closes and the Gunners are thought to have placed around £70m at manager Arsene Wenger's disposal.
However, having the money and closing the deals seem two very different things for Wenger, who has already lost out on Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic and Luiz Gustavo in the current window, while Liverpool have refused to sell Luis Suarez to the Frenchman. Now Benzema looks out of reach too.
"We can't fight against rumours. But I assure you, Karim will not go to Arsenal", Benzema's agent Karim Djaziri told French outlet JDD.
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"This has not even been mentioned and there has been no contact. Obviously, he is staying at Madrid."
And Benzema's representative was also at pains to point out that the imminent arrival of Gareth Bale at Real Madrid will not, in his view, change anything.
"The probable arrival of Gareth Bale at Real Madrid is absolutely not a threat.
"Both Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Bale play play on the flanks, while Karim is the focal point."
Real Madrid have already generated a substantial amount of money in the transfer market this summer, selling Jose Callejon, Raul Albiol and Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli, while Ricardo Carvalho has been shifted off the wage bill. There is therefore no need for further sales to finance the club's acquistion of Bale.
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