Transfer wrap: Benzema denies Arsenal link, Romeu to Chelsea

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has played down a potential move to Arsenal, insisting he has had no contact with the English side.

The 23-year-old had trouble securing a regular starting spot with his La Liga side after joining from Lyon, but Gonzalo Higuain’s injuries have seen him earn more opportunities.

The France international has been linked with a switch to the English Premier League outfit, but Benzema said he wants to remain at the Bernabeu.

“My place is at this club. I have never talked to Mr Wenger or anyone else,” he told L’Equipe on Thursday.

“I want to enjoy success here. I have found my self-belief. This season, I know we will win titles.”

Also at Real Madrid, Hamit Altintop has revealed he could still make a move from the club if a transfer is not arranged.

The midfielder signed a four-year deal with the club in May but is reportedly seeking a new home.

In the Premier League, Chelsea have announced the signing of Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu on a four-year deal.

The Stamford Bridge side confirmed in July that they had agreed a fee believed to be in the region of five million euros for the defensive midfielder and on Thursday completed the deal.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Oriol Romeu Vidal from Barcelona on a four-year-contract.”

“The 19-year-old will join us once his duties with Spain’s U20 World Cup squad in Colombia are complete.”

According to El Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will have the option of buying back the midfielder for a certain fee during his first two years at the club.

But after that, the European champions will need to match any offer already accepted for the player if they want him back.

In the Serie A, Vincenzo Iaquinta’s father Giuseppe says the Juventus striker is keen to stay in Turin, despite reports he has become surplus to requirements under coach Antonio Conte.

Fiorentina have rebuffed an attempt by Juventus to sign winger Juan Manuel Vargas on a part-exchange deal.

Conte’s team had reportedly tried to use winger Jorge Andres Martinez as part of the exchange, but it appears Vargas will depart in a cash-only deal.

Elsewhere, Roma are keen to add Marseille playmaker Lucho Gonzalez to their squad, but are reportedly hesitant to meet the Argentine’s wage demands.