Arsenal are optimistic of signing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, despite suggestions that the club are not looking to sell.
According to Goal, the Gunners are confident that can do business with Los Blancos in this summer’s transfer window, and are prepared to wait until late on in the market to lure the France international to the Emirates.
Goal claim that both the centre-forward’s agent, Karim Djaziri, and his manager, Rafael Benitez, are certain that he will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Arsene Wenger believes the deal is far from off.
The French manager is said to have made contact with Benzema’s representatives and Real’s officials, and the news may have been positive, the report suggests.
Wenger could be willing to wait as far as deadline day on August 31st to do business – as he did so two summers ago in securing a club-record £42.4m deal for former Real playmaker Mesut Ozil [via BBC Sport].
The Express report that the Liga BBVA giants value Benzema at a hefty £50m, while Spanish newspaper AS have stated their belief that the north London giants have set aside €65m (£45.28m) to clinch his signature.
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Having signed experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech, and with a plethora of options in midfield, there is growing reason to believe that the Gunners are close to becoming a significant title threat.
The signing of a world-class striker, such as Benzema, would certainly leave their rivals feeling anxious about the threat posed by Wenger’s troops.