Benzema rubbishes talk on Arsenal transfer rumour

Arsenal suffer £50m knockout blow as French ace Karim Benzema rubbishes Emirates deal Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has rubbished any chance of signing for Arsenal this summer.

The French international has been linked with a staggering £50m Gunners move throughout the summer, fuelled by claims he was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

However, Benzema took to Twitter to break Arsenal hearts by rubbishing the speculation, he wrote: "For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!"

Rafa Benitez, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, has set the Frenchman a target of 25 goals for the season, something he has not achieved since 2011-12 when he netted 31.

“For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!”

Karim Benzema

In a recent press conference, Benitez said: "I have said many times that I am convinced Benzema is a great forward.

"That's why I set him a target of 25 goals to motivate him and so he can express himself.

"So we have a lot of attacking options and that's why right now we are not looking for a striker."  

Benzema misses out as Ronaldo back in Real squad

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Real Madrid's squad for Tuesday's Santiago Bernabeu Trophy clash with Galatasaray, but the injured Karim Benzema remains absent.

The pair missed Real's Audi Cup matches in Munich as Ronaldo was suffering a back problem while Benzema injured his thigh.

Ronaldo returned to training last week and had never been a doubt for Real's competitive opener against Sporting Gijon on Sunday, although Benzema's thigh problem appears more troublesome.

The France international – who continues to be linked with Arsenal – is not in the squad for Tuesday's clash, with Raphael Varane (muscular) and Pepe (leg) also out injured.