Karim Benzema has denied re-ports he came close to leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal last month.
The French forward was strongly linked with a move to the Gunners but he remained in Madrid for the start of his seventh campaign with Real.
When asked about the rumours that he would join Arsenal, Benzema said: “Not at all. I’m not going to repeat myself every time.
“I’m at the best club in the world and I’m going to continue to work every year.
“I’m happy where I am.”
Handanovic’s deal
Reports in the media yesterday said Samir Handanovic is set to sign a new contract at Inter.
The current deal of the former Udinese keeper expires in 2016.
He had been linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer but Gazzetta dello Sport reported an extension has been agreed, with Handanovic set to stay at Inter until 2019.
The Slovenia international no.1 will see his wages rise to around €2.5m plus bonuses per season, a deal which has been on the table since the beginning of the summer.
Gazzetta believes the renewal will be officially confirmed in the coming days, or by the end of September at the latest.
Iceland – smallest nation to qualify
Iceland have become the smallest nation to qualify for the finals of the European Championship in the competition’s history after a goalless draw with Kazakhstan on Sunday booked their place in France next summer.
The island had a population estimated at just 317,351 according to statistics taken in July 2014.
Prior to Iceland’s success, Slovenia had been the smallest nation to reach the finals when they qualified for Euro 2000.
Its population was estimated at 1,988,292 in July 2014 by the CIA World Factbook, a small number in itself but dwarfing the population of Iceland.
Executive scuffles
The president of Palmeiras watched the second half of his team’s derby with Corinthians in the changing rooms on Sunday after almost coming to blows with a fan of the rival team.
Palmeiras drew 3-3 with league leaders Corinthians in a thrilling tie played in front of a 36,000 crowd at Palmeiras’s Allianz Parque.
The home side took the lead on three occasions but Corinthians pegged them back each time and when an overzealous Corinthians fan celebrated his team’s second goal in a nearby executive box, Palmeiras chief Paulo Nobre took offence.
The two men almost came to blows before security guards stepped in and Nobre departed to the dressing rooms to watch the remainder of the game.
Welbeck doubtful for Euro campaign
Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck will be out for six months and might be doubtful for England’s campaign at the Euro 2016.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery on his left knee last week after struggling to progress in his rehabilitation following an in-jury, his club Arsenal said.
The striker has not played since damaging the knee in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea on April 26.
“Well, Welbeck bothers me now. He has already been out for me since March and for Arsenal since April, and now I hear it’s another six months,” England manager Roy Hodgson said.
“I can only hope that he recovers a bit quicker and then hits the ground running.”
Pizarro returns to Werder Bremen
Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, 36, has agreed to a one-year contract with Werder Bremen.
Pizarro, who is the Bundesliga’s all-time leading foreign scorer with 176 goals in 383 matches, has agreed to a deal as a free agent after his contract with Bayern Munich was not renewed last season.
Pizarro first played for Werder between 1999-2001 and then again in 2008 to 2012.
He also had two spells at Bayern, with whom he won the treble in 2013. He also had a brief stint at Chelsea in England.
“I am happy to be here. I hope to use my experience for the good of the team,” Pizarro said.
Can wants to add goals to his game
Emre Can reckons he has to add goals to his game and shoulder more responsibility if he has to cement his place in Liverpool’s first team.
Can, 21, scored one goal in 31 appearances for the Merseyside club last season and has made two starts in four league games in the current campaign.
“I think the competition for places is good for the team,” the German said.
“I’m ready to take more res-ponsibility. I want to do more in attack and I know I can improve in that area. I want to do much more going forward in terms of scoring goals.”
Liverpool will be hoping to make things right when they travel to Manchester United on Saturday after their embarrassing 3-0 loss to West Ham United in their last match.