Karim Benzema staying at Real Madrid

The France worldwide forward has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer, with Arsenal reportedly interested in a £40m deal for the 27-year-old.

However Rafael Benitez played down such reports by commenting that Cristiano Ronaldo was “happy” at the club.

Real Madrid took on Manchester City in a pre-season friendly this afternoon and gave the Citizens a bit of a pasting.

Manchester United are understood to have expressed an interest in the Frenchman earlier in the transfer window, but Benzema is a favourite of Madrid president Florentino Perez.

However, Karim Djaziri, the player’s representative, is adamant that nothing will happen between now and the end of August.

Real winger Denis Cheryshev added Real’s fourth with 15 minutes to go to complete a comfortable win and one that satisfied Benitez.

Based on what he did to one of their main rivals for the title today, you can see why.

“We’re a team that are going to score goals”. We have the mentality and quality to do so and just have to improve that little bit defensively.

The 26-year-old’s agent, Cezary Kucharski, recently commented on the speculation surrounding his client, suggesting a move to either England or Spain could be on the cards in the future.

“I always say: ‘He’s not our player and I will not talk about that.'”.