Real Madrid could be ready to let Karim Benzema leave for Arsenal, providing the Gunners break their transfer record and bid £45m, according to Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail.
Arsenal have been interested in signing the 27-year-old striker throughout the summer, despite Madrid’s insistence that he will not be sold.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a long-time admirer of Benzema, and has been consistent in his desire to add ‘quality’ to his squad. Now Madrid have named their price, Wenger could be tempted to make a move for the forward.
The feeling at the Bernabeu is that Benzema is disposable, especially due to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale playing increasingly through the middle as centre forwards.
Madrid manager Rafael Benitez sees the Frenchman as his ideal striker playing ahead of the creativity of Ronaldo, Bale and James Rodriguez.
Despite Benitez’ opinion, President of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, is more interested in seeing Bale succeed, and after scoring in a more central role against former club Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, he admitted he feels that is ‘his’ position.
Madrid have been heavily linked with Marco Reus who has plenty of admirers at the Bernabeu, and if they were to sell Benzema to Arsenal, they would have the funds to afford him.
Benzema would be the second big money acquisition Arsenal have made from Madrid in recent seasons, following Mesut Ozil’s £42.5m move in 2013.
