<!--Article Start--> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong><a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/category/la-liga-2/real-madrid/" target="_blank">Real Madrid</a> striker Karim Benzema has refused to rule out a move to <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/category/english-premier-league/arsenal/" target="_blank">Arsenal FC</a>, while some reports suggest that the Spanish club have already rejected an opening bid.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a new striker and recent reports have linked them with a move for Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. This is not the first time the Frenchman has been linked with a move to the Emirates. The 27-year-old has been on Arsenala s radar since his Lyon days, but he moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and has established himself as at the Spanish club over the past six seasons.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Last week The Sun reported that Arsenal are lining up a whopping A?40 million bid for Benzema and that negotiations can start as early as this week. Arsene Wenger added fuel to those rumours as refused to rule out a move for the striker, when asked about it in a press conference.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Earlier today, <a href="http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2015-07-20/real-madrid-benzema-ozil-cristiano-bale-rafa-benitez-florentino-perez_935149/" target="_blank">Spanish media El Confidencial have reported that Karim Benzema has refused to rule out a move to the Emirates</a>. The newspaper states that Arsene Wenger has already contacted the fellow Frenchman regarding a possible move to the English club and Benzema hasna t ruled out that possibility. The former Lyon striker is however waiting for clarifications from new Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez, regarding his plans for the striker next season.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The former Liverpool manager is keen to retain Benzema, but is willing to try out Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in a more central role next season. This might jeopardize Benzemaa s place in the starting line-up, and is likely to open up the door for Arsenal to make their move. The London cluba s biggest obstacle however lies with the fact that the French international is a personal favourite of Florentino Perez, and he might not entertain any offer for him presently.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">In fact according to the Express, <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/592624/Arsenal-Karim-Benzema-Real-Madrid-Liverpool-Marco-Reus-Transfer-News-Gossip" target="_blank">Real Madrid have already rejected a A?31 million from Arsenal</a> for Karim Benzema and that Wenger is now willing to wait till the end of the window to make another move. El Confidencial however states that Arsenal might get a green signal to sign Benzema if Real Madrid manages to capture the signature of Sergio Aguero from Manchester City, who has been a long-term target of Florentino Perez.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">All the of the above reports are still barely more than speculation at this point, although it must be said that it has grown stronger over the past few days.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">ArsA?ne Wenger has spoken to Karim Benzema's reps & confirmed his intent to sign him, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/mohamedbouhafsi">@mohamedbouhafsi</a> <a href="http://t.co/1YYUsg06Ql">http://t.co/1YYUsg06Ql</a></p> a Get French Football (@GFN_France) . <a href="https://twitter.com/GFN_France/status/623534013286875136">July 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <!--Article End-->