Blow for Arsenal as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says no to selling Benzema

Karim Benzema looks like he's staying at Real Madrid

REAL MADRID president Florentino Perez has said no to selling Karim Benzema in the transfer window.

 

The French striker has been linked with a move to Arsenal but no bid has been made despite reports of a £48m offer.

 

Madrid signed the 27-year-old in 2009 from Lyon for around £25m and is known to be a favourite of Perez.

And according to Spanish publication Sport, Perez wants Benzema to continue as Madrid's main striker despite manager Rafael Benitez asking for another forward due to a lack of depth.

 

But Perez reportedly believes Jese Rodriguez can be Benzema's back up in the Madrid squad which already includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Earlier in the transfer window, Juventus striker Fernando Llorente was been linked with a move to the Bernabeu after dropping down the pecking order in Turin.