Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema after reports have emerged revealing that the European champions would be willing to sell the forward next summer, according to the Daily Star.
According to the British tabloid, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is planning a major overhaul of his side’s ageing attack for next season, with Benzema likely to be sold next summer.
Spanish outlet Don Balon, which was cited by the Daily Star, claim that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger views his compatriot, who has managed 123 league goals during his time in the Spanish capital, as an ideal replacement for Alexis Sanchez, whose current deal with the Gunners runs out next summer.
Don Balon have also claimed that the Los Blancos would be willing to sell the French striker to Arsenal should the north London side meet the £44M (€50M) asking price they have for the forward, with it being reported that the Emirates outfit would be unwilling to pay that much for Benzema.
The La Liga champions have an alternative option in this situation per Daily Star, which could be to extend the 29-year-old’s current contract at the Bernabeu. His current deal with the Spanish side runs until 2019, with Zinedine Zidane’s side believing that they should extend his deal with the club, his transfer value will increase.
Should Karim Benzema end up joining Arsenal next summer, it’ll be worthwhile keeping an eye on how the striker does, and whether he can improve on the goal return he’s managed during his time with Real Madrid.
The 6 ft 2 in striker had been a sensation for Real and really proved his worth in the 2015–16 when he bagged 28 goals in 36 appearances across all competition. Benzema scored a hatrick in an 8–0 thrashing against Malmö FF on 8 December 2015.On 20 December 2015, he scored another hatrick in a 10–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano scoring a total of 19 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid last season.
He was a regular starter when the team won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. What will Karim Benzema joining Arsenal next summer means for the likes of Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and even the club record signing Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Perez (currently plying his trade on-loan with Deportivo La Coruna)? Let us know if the comment box below.
*Player stats were according to Wikipedia
