Benzema snubbed Barca summer move - media

AFP - 8 October 2008 19:50

Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain on Wednesday revealed that French starlet Karim Benzema, seen here in August 2008, turned down a summer move to the Spanish giants.

PARIS (AFP) - Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain on Wednesday revealed that French starlet Karim Benzema turned down a summer move to the Spanish giants.

"We've tried to sign him several times but it's never been possible," Begiristain told www.frenchleague.com. "We tried this summer, but he wanted to stay at Lyon."

Benzema, at 20, is one of France's biggest hopes for the future. He was top goalscorer last year in the French first division, and heads the scoring chart so far this season with six.

Benzema has become a regular fixture in Raymond Domenech's national team, making 16 appearances and netting four times.

Begiristain insisted that he intended to keep tabs on the striker, despite growing interest from other top clubs such as Manchester United and Inter.

"In the end it will be his decision. We have excellent relations with both him and his club and we'll definitely keep in contact so that he knows we want him, and that he wants to come to us," he said.