Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid French forward Karim Benzema with the Spanish giants linked with a transfer with his potential replacement, Fernando Illorente currently of Juventus. The arrivals this summer of Pablo Dyabala and Mario Mandzukic from Palermo and Atheltico Madrid have made Illorente unsure of his first team place and he is open to a transfer away from Juventus.
A move to his homeland and to play for one of the world’s biggest clubs which Madrid is will surely appeal to Illorente. Even if Illorente might be brought in as back up option to Benzema the fact that Madrid are thinking of bringing in a Striker means they might be willing to listen to offers for Benzema.
Benzema, 27 is valued at over €40m by the Spanish side and is one of the most prolific forwards in world football at the moment. He has averaged approximately 0.5 goal ratio since joining Madrid and will surely walk into the current Gunners first team shun of strikers with goal scoring pedigree. Benzema is a full fledged French international and has 77 caps with 25 goals and current gunner’s first choice striker Oliver Giroud plays second fiddle to him in the National team side.
Arsenal were reportedly knocked back by Madrid when they made an inquiry for the forward this close season but this reports happen to suggest that the gunners will have to try again for the Frenchman. If Benzema joins Arsenal he will look to follow the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry who became a club legend during his time at the club and is the clubs record goalscorer.