Real Madrid will have a huge decision at hand come January, with Arsenal not prepared to go above €40 million in their pursuit of Karim Benzema.
Arsenal are plotting a €40 million winter move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, claims Spanish outlet Don Balon. The striker has been rumoured to be on the brink of an exit multiple times. And Arsenal seem to be in prime position to land the Real Madrid hitman.
The Frenchman has been struggling this season and his paltry return of 2 goals for the club in La Liga has turned President Florentino Perez’s head. Despite the Frenchman signing a 2-year contract extension in September that would keep him at the club till 2021, Perez is determined to bolster his front-line and get the 30-year-old off the books to make way for a Galactico signing.
Meanwhile, despite just half-way into the season, Arsenal’s top 4 challenge is already floundering as they sit sixth on the Premier League table. With uncertainties surrounding the future of their talisman Alexis Sanchez, manager Arsene Wenger is in need of reinforcement up-front and has subsequently reignited his interest in Benzema.
Benzema scored a total of 4 goals at the Santiago Bernabeu in all competitions in the WHOLE of 2017 [3 in La Liga and 1 in the UCL]…. pic.twitter.com/XHVKMNdXwX
— Real Madrid Stats (@RMadrid_Stats) December 26, 2017
Wenger believes a fees in region of €40 million should be enough for Madrid to loosen their grip on the former Lyon striker.However, Madrid believes they deserve a better compensation for parting ways with the Frenchman – who has amassed 185 goals in 385 appearances for the club since arriving from Lyon in 2009 summer window.
Arsenal have long been linked to the Frenchman, with the Gunners going agonizingly close to signing him in the summer before the transfer hit a snag that saw them snap up 37-goal Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette instead.
However, with their star striker Alexis Sanchez’s contract up next summer, Arsenal are looking to recoup some of the fees they paid for the Chilean in 2014 and are open to selling him in the winter, with the likes of PSG and Manchester City desperate for Chilean’s signature.
Considering Benzema’s barren run in front of goal this season, Arsenal are ready to shell out just €40 million. Madrid have a case of their own too, considering the Frenchman’s past goal-scoring feats, but Arsenal look to be the only club maintaining a strong interest and Perez would have little option other than letting the Frenchman go, who’s just made it to wrong side of 30.
As for Benzema, an attractive pay package along with the promise of regular playing time should be enough for him to trade Bernabeu for Emirates.
