Pjanic denies Benzema quotes

Lyon midfielder Miralem Pjanic has denied reports suggesting that he said team-mate Karim Benzema was close to completing a move to Manchester United.

The 19-year-old was quoted as stating in a Bosnian newspaper on Tuesday that the striker was just days away from switching to the Premier League champions for £38million.

Benzema has been strongly linked with a move to United as well as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal in recent weeks, despite declaring a wish to stay at Lyon for another season at least.

However, Pjanic insists he said nothing which would suggest the French international is heading to Old Trafford.

“I have not granted any interview to the media. I do not know any other answer to say to you because I said nothing,” he told Lyon Capital.

Meanwhile Real have revealed that they are set to unveil another big name signing on Wednesday, leading many to suggest they are close to securing Benzema’s signature now that previous target David Villa looks set to stay at Valencia.

“We do not discard the possibility that in the next few hours, something could happen,” Real director Jorge Valdano told Onda Cero.

“Nothing will happen with Villa over the next few days because Valencia have not changed their stance.”