Real Madrid striker Benzema turned down Marseille approach

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema turned down a late offer from Olympique Marseille last week.

French sources say Marseille coach Didier Deschamps offered a return home to the young striker before Tuesday's deadline fell.

However, Benzema, despite a difficult preseason with coach Jose Mourinho, has decided to battle on in Madrid, despite a disappointing past 12 months.