With Robin Van Persie departing Manchester United in favour of Turkey and Wayne Rooney struggling, there were constant rumours that Manchester United and Arsenal were going to battle it out for the signing of French and Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema. But in a recent interview with Telefoot, the French striker crushed the rumours saying that there was never any chance of it happening.
Constant speculation throughout summer of England move
Throughout the entire summer there was constant rumours swirling around both Arsenal and Manchester United, claiming that they were ‘interested’, ‘on the verge’ and ‘prepared to announce’ the signing of Karim Benzema. With both sides needing a striker it made the rumours seem almost possible. The Frenchmen however remained at Real Madrid and in reality the supposed transfer never really happened or even got going for that matter.
It all seemed set to potentially happen when United made room in their squad for at least one more striker, after they decided against resigning Radamel Falcao, selling Robin van Persie to Fenerbache and the strong likely hood of James Wilson going out on loan plus the injury to Javier Hernandez. As they often are Manchester United were linked with a vast amount of players but Benzema’s name kept cropping up time and time again.
The Madrid striker who scored 21 goals combined between the Champions League and La Liga, came out however and made it very clear that there was never any chance of the rumours becoming reality.
Benzema says “I’m happy” at Real Madrid
Benzema told Telefoot, a French football programme, that “there was nothing in the talk of a transfer away from Madrid.” He went on to tell the French programme that he is ‘happy’ at Real Madrid and that it is “the best club in the world”.
It seems that the speculation linking him with United was nothing more than tabloid rumours, as there now seems that there was never anything going on when it came to trying to sign Benzema. In what seems like an attempt to prevent similar sorts of rumours springing up yet again, Benzema finished is interview with Telefoot by saying that "I am happy where I am”.
In the end Benzema remained at Real Madrid and as he has revealed, he was never going to end up anywhere else. As for Manchester United however, their summer transfer window ended with a different French striker joining the squad, with 19-year-old Martial joining from Monaco. The youngster made his debut for the French national side just a days later, becoming the 15th youngest player in French football history to play for the national side.