It has been reported that out-of-favour Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema, has singled out Arsenal as his desired destination this summer, after being told by Jose Mourinho that he will not be a regular at the Bernabeu, according to Metro.
The 23-year-old’s agent is believed to be holding extensive talks with the Spanish club in order to get his client more playing time next season. However, after Real Madrid President Florentino Perez stated that he was not prepared to make such promises, Benzema’s representative has correspondingly told the club to consider letting the striker depart the Spanish capital this summer.
Reports are suggesting that an asking price of £25 million (€28 million) would be an acceptable amount to secure Benzema’s services this summer, and having made an initial enquiry into the striker’s availability last week, Arsenal are expected to continue with interest and negotiate a feasible deal for the France international.
The French star is said to have chosen the Emirates Stadium over his other options, which supposedly include Serie A outfits Juventus and Inter Milan, or a possible return to his native France, for the chance to work with fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger.
However, it remains to be seen whether frugal Wenger would be willing to open his cheque book and spend what would be viewed as a colossal amount of cash on one player, of if Real Madrid would be prepared to lower their valuation if Benzema refuses to listen to other options.
I can’t stress how much I would love to see this guy at Arsenal. I have been a fan of Benzema since his days at Lyon, and also tipped him to become a world-class striker in the future.
I would certainly try to lower his valuation if I was Wenger, but if Real refuse to budge, then ultimately I would just meet the Spanish club’s £25 million asking price.
Arsenal could certainly do with another striker on board this summer, and to be honest, I can’t think of any other striker out there who is more superior than Karim Benzema.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
Why are we all putting ourselves through all these trouble, it wouldn’t be the first time we,ve seen and heard about such fantastic news only for monsieur Wenger to break our hearts.I’m sick and tired of all these nonsense about selling chamakh,bendtner and arshavin bcos we damn well know that it aint happening and that we ll be stuck with the same mugs nxt season
If Benzema is the answer 25 million is an acceptable amount in these modern times…pay it.
Wenger has to stop thinking bargains and youth all the time he`s got to pay market price for experience. If a bargain comes along fine, grab it, but that should not be the basis for his thinking.
Sign him and play 442 with and RVP upfront! Thats an unbelievable strike force! Id like to see these changes..
OUT IN
Almunia 1m Buffon 11m
Eboue 5m Richards 13m
Squallici 3m Cahill 15m
Clichy 15m Baines 10m
Denilson 8m Rodwell 18m
Fabregas 45m De Rossi 15m
Rosicky 7m Young 15m
Arshavin 8m Hazard 15m
Vela 9m Chamberlain 10m
Bendtner 12m Benzema 25m
Diaby 8m
Out= 121m IN- 147m
Net Spend 26 million. Thats what id love to see and we could compete on all 4 fronts! Thats a great squad we would and we have some great young players in reserve. Now thats a team to get excited about but I know Wenger too well! It will never happen but when you read that squad you cant help but think im right!!
Wenger should sign him. 25 million is pretty cheap for a striker especially nowadays. If we buy him we’ll still have 15 million left over, plus the sale of Fabregas looks certain, so that will be another 40-50 million. That’s between 55-65 million we’ll have to spend on players, plus he could also get rid of some of the players who are not could enough, like Bendtner, Diaby, Denilson, Clichy, Squillaci and if need be sell Chamakh. Bascially Arsenal could get Benzema and still bring in the likes Hazard, Cahill, Baines, Parker and Marko Marin.
Guys think about it… Madrid want Fab… Why not swap him for Benzema and Kaka… We might have to pay an extra 10 mil but i think they would be up for it. Kaka has dropped down the pecking order and i think he would love to play in the prem. The experience he would give us, plus we could use him in midfield or as cover for Van Persie when he gets injured (as we all know he will) Then we should buy Hazard for 15 mil Samba for about 8 Mil, Vertonghen for 10 (who can play CB with samba while vermaelen playes LB) and Fellaini for 10m(his height would come in very useful). They would cost us say 40 – 50 m. With the money we have and the players that are hopefully leaving we should have the cash.
If Wenger was to do this for the first time in a long while we would have real cover and competition for places.
Strikers :- Van Persie, Benzema, Kaka, Wallcott, Chamaka
Midfield :- Nasri, Whiltshire, Ramsey, Kaka, Walcott, Fellaini, Song, Hazard.
Defence :- Vermaelin, Vertonghen, Samba, Sagna, JD, Koshelney, Gibbs, Eboue.
Gk :- Sczeny , Fab
I think that gives us plenty of options and cover and still allows wenger to bring the young lads through.
Before you say Madrid wouldnt go for the swap think about it… they dont really play Benzema and Kaka, and how much would they love to get one over Barca by getting Fab… Everyone is a winner 😉
i thnk,we should sell denilson, bentner and gibbs and then buy richards, samba, parker and benzema.
With these we can win treble.