Is Benzema Off To Arsenal? Former Real Madrid Star HINTS At Arsenal Deal For Striker

While delivering an assessment on Arsenal’s interest in Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, former Los Blancos midfield icon said the Gunners would be getting a “very, very good” player in the France international striker, although he admitted concerns on whether Real will allow him go easily.

This is in a report from Goal who says Kaka, who now wears the No. 10 shirt for MLS side Orlando City does not know if Rafael Benitez would be willing to sell Benzema.

It is understood Arsenal have not given up hopes of luring the 28-year old prolific hitman to the Emirates, and are ready to wait until the closing stages of the transfer window to see if they still have a chance.

Kaka spent four seasons training alongside the former Lyon ace, although injuries and squad selections limited the Brazilian’s appearances for the Spanish giants.

Benzema is a bastion of the Real first team and his contributions over the years can not be overemphasized. He scored 15 goals and provided 6 assists for the team last term, but they failed to win any trophy.

Arsene Wenger has shown in the past two summer transfers that he is willing to loosen his purse strings for a top class star, with Mesut Ozil arriving for £42.5m (via Guardian) in 2013, and Alexis Sanchez joining the back to back FA Cup winners last summer for £32m (via Sky Sports).

The need for Arsenal to strengthen in their attack especially has been widely talked about by their fans and this was further echoed yesterday by former Gunners Ray Parlour.

“That is a position they’ve got to look at. Everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon now but it’s a long, hard season and there’s a long way to go,” Parlour told Sky Sports.

“If you look at Man City you know Sergio Aguero is their main man, for Manchester United it’s Wayne Rooney and at Chelsea it’s Diego Costa. Who is it at Arsenal?”

With Kaka’s belief that Benzema would respresent a great signing for Arsene Wenger’s side, there seem to be something cooking in the background. Although, the former AC Milan ace thinks Arsenal could find it difficult securing his services, it is understood negotiations are already taking place – which Kaka probably has knowledge of.

“I think Benzema is one of the forwards at this moment so I don’t think Real Madrid will give him always easily,” said the Orlando City midfield star.

“But Karim is a very good player and if he can have the opportunity to go to Arsenal then Arsenal will take a very, very good player.”

Various reports have confirmed this in the past and with Emanuele Gialunelli, the Italian journalist also claiming Benzema has penned a four-year deal at Arsenal, there is no doubt talks are ongoing. Kaka’s statement regarding this transfer has also backed those claims.

If Benzema does not sign for Arsenal, Bayern Munich’s Roberto Lewandowski has, as per reports, been pinpointed by Arsene Wenger as an alternative.