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.
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Wenger spend 25M? I have a better chance of having a one night stand with 5 of the top 10 on Maxim’s hottest women list, all at the same time.
Hopefully Stan takes control, pays off any debt we have and starts from scratch. If we get rid of Bendtner (12m) Rosicky (8m) Denilson (£5) Squillaci (8m) Vela (10m) Chamakh (8m) Fabregas (40m) and the players that have no chance of ever playing for us Wellington (5m) Galindo (5m) Botelho (5m) Miyaichi (8m) that’s £103 million and £5 shiny English pounds. Even if u bought Sakho Kaka Benzema and Eden Hazard you would still have change and could use loan players like Lansbury Frimpong and Jet as cover for now. I don’t get this ” if a player leaves he’s dead” nonsense Arsene keeps spouting out
How has Miyachi got no chance of playing for us?
If he gets his work permit for next year he will walk in to the first team squad!!
what ¨sources¨ reported an asking fee of 25M sterling for Benzema? This is pure idle speculation and nothing more. Yes he may want to come to the Emirates since he knows AW well and admire him BUT until Real officially reveal his availability and asking price…articles like yours are pointless and meaningless.
Assuming there is some truth in this story and Wenger is keen on the lad but wary about the price, this is just the situation when Kroenke might step in and brandish his financial clout. Could turn out to be the first (minor) confrontation between the two. Oooer!
Would add value to our team. If he is available I am sure Wenger will meet their valuation because he is not against spending on proven quality. And he is French too!!! Could become the next Henry at the Emirates. Lets wait.
Plse wenger do it whatever it takes to buy benzima. he is world class striker with his strength easily fit for epl.
is 25 million a lot of money?…..in the context of what bendtner is supposed to be worth(12m)i dont see a problem. so if cesc leaves ,(which appears to be nailed on now) thats another 40 million (approx), SO logically we can afford it and it’s decent value.
Wenger hasnt the balls for this type of acquisition, preferring to buy modestly, or cheaply or even better on a free. Its nothing to do with balancing the books, since we had 40 million from the sale of toure and adebayor…and what did we buy?
Well said. I would just buy him if I was Wenger as he is young, talented and a proper striker which we need. All this modest buying nonsense is really annoying me now – Wenger just needs to get with the times of risk being left behind. When was the last time Arsenal brought in someone on a free (before Chamakh of course)? Unheard of!
Yes please! Although I tend to believe the same as WC, this seems like too much to spend for Wenger.More likely he will sign gramiero who is far cheaper. 🙁
Would rather he sign Benzema than Gameiro
For 25mil ad rather get Aguero. Benzema is however a talent and we should get him. All we need is patience similar to spurs. Remember Van der Vart was 20mil and Spurs got him for 8mil.. We can drop the price with patience
we need to play 442 next season. samba and vermallean as main centre backs with, sagna and clichy on da wings. id sell fab and get parker in with song/wilshere and parker in the middle. then have nasri and walcott on the wings. walcott playing a more freddie role as van persie will swap and sometimes go on the right and have benzema playing the henry role. i think we could win tropies with that. Subs:fabianski,koshieny,,diaby,wilshere,ramsey,arshavin,chamakh. Parker will cost 10 mill, samba 6mill and benzema 18 mill. thats less than what fabregas will go for. what u guys think
I like samba.it was reported last week that he said arsenal were close to signing him in january.how old is he ? He would imo a welcome acquisition.