France striker Karim Benzema has confirmed he will be staying at Lyon for next season.

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Benzema, who has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid and a host of other European heavyweights over the past year, indicated in December he would make a decision on his future after Les Gones' Champions League last-16 double-header against Barcelona.

Lyon lost to the Spanish giants 6-3 on aggregate but it has not prevented the 21-year-old pledging his short-term future to the Ligue 1 champions.

"I'm going to stay at Lyon," he said following a Lyon training session.

"I feel really good at OL, I am surrounded by good people and I still have time. I shouldn't have said I would make my decision after Barcelona.

"This decision will not be changed, whether or not we retain the title, whether or not France qualify for the next World Cup.

"At 21, I am still developing, I am going to get better and progress. At Lyon, I play regularly in big matches and I take part in the Champions League."

In September, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas slapped a price tag of 100 million euros on Benzema.