Arsenal are keeping an eye on Karim Benzema this summer, and are preparing a bid of €25 million to tempt the striker to the Emirates, Edu Herrero of AS reports.
The Frenchman has been consistently linked with Arsenal and other clubs in the last few transfer windows, but a deal looks more likely than even before, with Arsenal more willing to splash the cash this time round. Reports also suggest that despite the 27-year old becoming an undisputed starter after the departure of Gonzalo Higuain, he could become a fringe player in favour of Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – with the Portuguese becoming the striker in a 4-2-3-1 under Rafa Benitez. Given the former Lyon man’s calibre, he simply won’t settle for a bench role – despite signing a new contract recently that would’ve pinned him down to 2019.
It appears that despite winning the fans and critics over for his connection with his fellow attackers on the pitch, his perhaps slightly below-par goal ratio for Los Blancos (just under 0.5 a game) might mean the 10-time Champions League winners will listen to strong offers, and won’t restrict the end of Benzema’s 6-year stay at Real Madrid.
For Arsenal however, Benzema fits the mould almost perfectly. His hold-up play is one of the best in the world, and would link up incredibly well with attacking talents like Alexis Sánchez, Aaron Ramsey and former teammate Mesut Özil. The La Liga winner offers both an assisting presence as well as a clinical strike, and perhaps when given a central, more focused role (rather than being overshadowed by the Bernebeu giant Ronaldo), will thrive even further in the goals department. Benzema fits Arsène Wenger’s philosophy like a jigsaw piece, and would be the world-class talent the Emirates faithful have clamoured for in recent years, who would play at striker and power the Gunners to a first league title in over a decade.
Everything is in place for Ivan Gazidis and co to make a bid for Karim Benzema. He offers everything Arsenal desire if they are to mount a serious challenge for the league title, and reports coming out of Madrid in recent weeks show that there is potential of Benzema leaving the Bernebeu – and it appears Arsène Wenger (who has been a vocal fan of the player) is willing, with a €25 million bid prepared. Time will tell if the Benzema transfer saga finally comes to an end this summer in favour of Arsenal fans, and we see him in the red and white of the 12-time FA Cup champions going into the 2015/16 season.
