Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours linking the Gunners with Real Madrid’s striker Karim Benzema.
Stories in the press in recent weeks have suggested the FA Cup holders, who defeated Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday, are willing to pay 50 million euros for the France forward as they look to win their first league title in more than a decade.
The 27-year-old is known to be a favourite of Real president Florentino Perez and Los Blancos aren’t openly looking to get rid of Benzema. But with new boss Rafa Benitez testing Cristiano Ronaldo in a more central role in pre-season, the stories keep emerging that Real are willing to listen to offers if they come along.
Wenger has long been an admirer of Benzema and competed for his signature when he left Lyon in 2009 for Real. But despite all the talk of a potential bid, Wenger played down the talk at his press conference at Wembley.
Asked for an update on whether the north London side would bid for Benzema, the most successful manager in Arsenal’s history stated: “No, honestly, no.”
Benzema has scored more than 120 goals for Los Blancos and has won a host of trophies including the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, European Super Cup, World Club Cup and European Super Cup.
Frankly, I sincerely believe that it’s time to sell Karim Benzema. His future now lays in the past. Real Madrid should get rid of Karim to avoid another Kheidera scenario where the club end up loosing on the trade. I would like to see Karim prove me wrong. He will not get any better so while he is still solvable, Real Madrid should take advantage ….