Arsenal and Chelsea will attempt to sign Karim Benzema this summer, according to reports
According to the Sun, Real Madrid are willing to let go of the Frenchman this summer for a fee of £50 million, which have put Arsenal on “red alert.” Benzema is currently enduring a torrid time at the Santiago Bernabeu and Madrid have reportedly decided to let him go at the end of the season.
The Frenchman has scored only 5 goals and picked up 2 assists in the La Liga this season and has failed to score in his last 5 appearances across all competitions. He has also been used sparingly by manager Zinedine Zidane and has only made 12 starts in the league.
The Sun also claim that Benzema is growing weary of the reception he is currently receiving at the hands of the home supporters, as he has been booed on several occasions this season. The fans have been particularly harsh towards the Frenchman in recent weeks forcing manager Zinedine Zidane to leap to the defence of his compatriot.
The 29-year old has had a tough year after also being removed from the French squad for the Euro 2016 due to off-field incidents, and has failed to recreate the form which saw him linked with Arsenal last summer.
Madrid are also said to be keeping a close eye on developments regarding the future of Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who recently admitted that he wasn’t sure what the future held for him beyond this season.
Should Aguero decide to leave Manchester City, Madrid could well put in a bid for the Argentinian superstar which would only push Karim Benzema further down the pecking order. It would almost certainly signal the end of the Frenchman’s Real Madrid career.
The Sun also claim that Chelsea are interested in signing the Frenchman, and with Diego Costa’s future at Stamford Bridge far from certain come the end of the season, Benzema might just be the man Chelsea look to replace him with.
Costa was reportedly unsettled by an offer from the Chinese Super League and was dropped from the squad for a couple of fixtures but has now made a full return to the side. However, Antonio Conte recently himself admitted that he can make no guarantees about the Spaniard’s future beyond this season prompting speculation Chelsea will sign a new forward.
Arsenal have held a long-standing interest in Benzema and were rumoured to be rivaling Chelsea for Benzema even in December. Benzema would be a great option for both teams, as Arsenal are also doubtful over the future of their star forward with Alexis Sanchez still locked in negotiations with Arsenal over a new contract with no indication that he is sure to sign one.
Olivier Giroud recently signed a new contract with the Gunners but despite this has not been first choice all season. The Frenchman was substituted at half-time in the defeat to Watford and was left on the bench for Arsenal’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea.
There is no doubt Benzema will not be short of suitors should Real Madrid decide to make him available for a transfer, but given the reported £50 million tag they have placed on him and the fact that he is 29, it is possible Arsenal will choose not to sign him given his price and age.
Chelsea, however, could still make a bid for him should Diego Costa leave. The Blues have no problem paying big transfer fees and given the huge amount they received from the sale of Oscar they will easily be able to match Real Madrid’s asking price. Should Benzema’s struggles at Real Madrid continue, there is every chance he could leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
