Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly plotting a moves to sign Karim Benzema from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Karim Benzema has tempting offers from two Premier League clubs to leave Real Madrid in the summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea keen on signing the French striker.
Benzema has evolved into one of the most consistent strikers in the world since joining Real Madrid almost eight years ago. In addition to being an out and out striker, the Frenchman has brings a burst of creativity to his side’s attack, to be one of the few complete forwards in Europe.
The numbers also prove that Benzema has been a stalwart in the truest sense for Real Madrid, having scored 179 goals and provided 101 assists in over 350 matches for the club. However, 2016/17 has seen him experience a downturn in for, bagging just 9 goals and 4 assists in 23 league games.
As a result, there is a growing clamour among the Real Madrid faithfuls to bring in a top quality striker in the summer transfer window. However, it is largely believed that Zinedine Zidane is against the idea of selling his compatriot.
Despite a slump in form though, Benzema continues to remain in demand across Europe, and two Premier League clubs are eager to bring him to England in the summer. London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are set to wage a transfer battle to land the 29-year-old after the end of the season.
In fact, Arsenal have been long-time admirers of Benzema’s talents, having also made attempts to sign him last summer. With Alexis Sanchez’s future at the Emirates constantly mired in uncertainty, there could be a growing need to target world class strikers for the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is in a similar predicament with Diego Costa, who is being linked with Real Madrid among other clubs. Should his star striker depart from West London in the summer, the Chelsea boss will need to sign a top quality replacement.
He has, thus, identified Benzema as one of his options for the summer, although Alvaro Morata continues to remain his top target.
The likes of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are also being linked with the 29-year-old, and it remains to be seen how things develop in the coming months, as a busy summer beckons Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid.