Wenger Speaks Benzema, Madrid Real To Sell – Signing Of The SUMMER On The Card

Arsenal’s search for a world-class goal poacher has gathered steam, with the Gunner linked with the likes of Edin Dzeko and Karim Benzema in recent days.

However, Real Madrid Striker Karim Benzema is reportedly Wenger’s most wanted man, with the French manager a long term admirer of his compatriot.

Benzema joined Los Blancos in 2009 and has enjoyed a considerable amount of playing time at the club. The Spanish club has since replaced former manager Carlo Ancelotti as he ended the season with no silverware last term. Therefore, the France international striker could find playing time difficult next term under new boss Rafael Benitez.

The Madrid manager reportedly wants Cristiano Ronaldo to play as a striker next term, with Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez/Jese on the flanks. In a recent pre-season friendly game loss to AS Roma, the trio of Ronaldo, Bale and Jese started at the front, with the Portuguese as the striker.

A move to the Premier League for Benzema is now very highly likely to occur, with the Emirates stadium the likely destination and the Gunners have, as per reports, tabled a £31 million bid for the former Lyon ace.

The France striker has now reportedly not ruled out a move to Arsenal under Arsene Wenger after his compatriot’s intervention.

Spanish media outlet El Confidencial have chipped in with a report that Arsene Wenger in still in talks to sign the 27-year old forward and he is not saying “no” as regards negotiations with Arsenal, despite reports from his agent Karim Djaziri saying he has not met with “any London club.

The aforementioned source says Madrid’s interest in Aguero and Fernando Llorente has also led to uncertainty over likely Benzema’s future, and Arsenal now have a good chance of bringing him to North London.

Benzema was signed from Lyon for £35 million in the summer of 2009 for a reported fee of £35.8 million. He has won the La Liga (2011-12), three Copas Del Rey (2010-11, 2013-14), the UEFA Champions League (2013-14), UEFA Super Cup (2014) and FIFA club World Cup (2014) titles with the Los Blancos.

He has scored 133 goals in 281 appearances for Los Blancos (via Independent).

Petr Cech has been Arsenal’s only summer signing so far, albeit an important one, with the experienced goalie leaving west London club, Chelsea for the Emirates Stadium.