One of the major decisions Real Madrid will have to take this summer is whether to sell Karim Benzema to the highest bidder or provide him a new contract extension. The French striker, who scored a brace against Honduras, has a contract till 2015 and has been targeted by top European heavyweights including Arsenal.
Benzema has scored 22 goals and grabbed 14 assists in 46 appearances for the Champions League winners last season, but faces an uncertain future at the club, as club president Florentino Perez is keen to make Liverpool striker Luis Suarez as the club’s next Galactico.
Reports in Spain emerged that Benzema has asked the club to double his wages, with some Madrid executives feel the player’s demands are too inflated and might well not be accepted.
However, Marca reckons that Perez has expressed his desire to continue with Benzema, while the player’s agent, Karim Djaziri, pointed that his client is not looking to leave Madrid at the moment.
He said: “The conversations to renew his contract began long ago. We got together with Perez in September, December, March and past Monday. Karim hasn’t renewed his contract yet but he’s a man of his word and he told Perez he wanted to stay at Real Madrid as long as possible. He won’t leave no matter what.”
The news would come as a blow to Arsenal, who were thought to be preparing a summer move for the French striker. The Gunners have also shown an interest in Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who is also wanted by several Italian clubs.
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