WILSHERE STAYS AT EMIRATES

Arsenal have tied up promising teenager Jack Wilshere on a new long-term contract as the Gunners continue to look to the future.

 

Wales international Aaron Ramsey, 18, on Wednesday agreed an extension to his deal, and the Premier League club have been quick to also secure the potential of Hertfordshire-born Wilshere, at the club since he was just nine.

 

Manager Arsene Wenger rates the England youth international highly. Wilshere signed professional terms when he turned 17 on New Year's Day and had became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in both the league and in European competition when making his first-team breakthrough last season.

 

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REAL MADRID SIGNS BENZEMA

 

Lyon have accepted an offer from Real Madrid for striker Karim Benzema. The striker becomes Real's third major signing after Brazil's Kaka and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Madrid and Manchester United have been vying for the services of the 21-year-old but Lyon continued to insist before today that the France international would remain at the Stade Gerland for another season at least.

 

However, Les Gones announced on their official website this afternoon that they have accepted a fee of at least 35m euros (£30m) from Madrid for the player, with performance clauses set to see that fee rise to 41m euros.

 

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LYON CONFIRM BENZEMA BID

 

Lyon have confirmed that they have received a bid for Karim Benzema from an unnamed club, but insist that any agreement over the France international's transfer is yet to be reached. The side in question is thought to be Real Madrid with strong reports in both Spain and France linking them with a £35million move for the 21-year-old.

 

The striker is also been rumoured to have interested Manchester United with manager Sir Alex Ferguson said to be a big admirer of the gifted youngster. The Premier League champions have £80million burning a hole in their pocket after the confirmed sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real and know that they must find someone to take on the scoring burden left by the Portugal winger.

 

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GALLAS STAYING ALIVE AT EMIRATES

 

William Gallas maintains he has no intentions of leaving Arsenal this summer. The central defender, 32 in August, has endured something of a difficult spell since arriving from Chelsea two years ago.

 

Manager Arsene Wenger eventually replaced Gallas as captain with Cesc Fabregas following public criticism of the young squad and reports of a bust-up with centre-half partner Kolo Toure.

 

However, somewhat ironically, the Frenchman then went on to produce a string of consistent displays as the Gunners found some form over the latter part of the campaign before missing the closing weeks because of injury.

 

Gunners boss Wenger, though, continued to give Gallas his full support, denying suggestions Gallas had played his last game for the Gunners.

 

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VAN PERSIE REJECTS MOVE TALK

 

Robin van Persie has rejected speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal, insisting he wants to stay at the club. The Dutchman is yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, despite being locked in talks over a contract extension for the last few months.

 

Manchester United have been linked with a shock move for the forward, but van Persie plans to stay at Arsenal and is determined to establish himself as the best player in the world at the club. Van Persie is desperate for success at Arsenal after only lifting the FA Cup during his first five seasons in north London.

 

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ARSENAL ENTER RACE TO SIGN BENZEMA

 

Arsenal are reported to be in the race to sign Lyon striker Karim Benzema, as they look to replace Emmanuel Adebayor should he leave for AC Milan this summer. The highly-rated Benzema has been linked with Manchester United for the past six months, but the News of the World claim that the striker is now subject of interest from Arsene Wenger.

 

Should the future of £25m Togo striker Adebayor be decided in the next few weeks, Arsenal will be keen to bolster their strikeforce and a £30m bid for Benzema could be accepted.

 

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