Real Madrid Transfer News: Rafa Benitez Warns Stars Amid Karim Benzema Rumours

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has warned his squad they must all be united behind a unified cause, as rumours about striker Karim Benzema continue to swirl.

The new boss was speaking to the assembled media after a 2-1 win over Galatasaray in the club’s final pre-season match. When asked about signings, he insisted it’s key that those involved in the team at the moment are completely devoted to the Los Blancos effort, per the club’s official website:

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I'm limited to working with what I have and for other matters I speak with Jose Angel Sanchez and the president. Those conversations stay between me and those running the club.

I have an extremely strong squad. Whoever is here must already be committed and invested. I don't have any complaints about any of my players.

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Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Rumours have continued throughout the summer regarding a possible sale of Benzema. As reported by Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, Arsenal are a team that have been prominently linked with a transfer for the French centre-forward. 

As Giulianelli suggests, if his attention has indeed been attracted by the Gunners, it certainly wouldn’t fall in line with the focused squad dynamic Benitez is clearly trying to instill. However, there’s been little tangible evidence to suggest that Benzema fancies a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu or Real want to let him leave.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague insisted earlier this week that at this point in the window, a transfer is unlikely to happen:

That’s completely understandable. After all, Benitez is a pragmatic manager who pays scrupulous attention to every tactical detail and immerses himself in the minutiae of preparations. Losing his very best and only orthodox centre-forward with a fortnight left in the transfer window would be a major setback as Real look to bounce back from a poor 2014-15.

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Benzema is a wonderful forward too, capable of knitting the play together, surging in behind and occupying defenders with his sharp movement, facilitating space for players such as Cristiano Ronaldo to flourish. He’s one of a few complete strikers currently operating at the elite level in world football.

As noted by Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, the Frenchman plays a very understated role in a Madrid team full of attacking stars:

Under Benitez, expect Benzema to flourish. Throughout his managerial career the Spaniard has always looked to utilise the traits of a dynamic striker, with the likes of Fernando Torres and Gonzalo Higuain really flourishing under his tutelage; the Frenchman will be hoping he'll see similar results.

Benzema may never command the gravitas of a Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or James Rodriguez. But if Benitez is looking for players in this squad to be altruistic, to show infectious enthusiasm and set a positive tone, there are few better men to look towards at the Santiago Bernabeu than their current No. 9.