Arsenal have unsettled Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with their efforts to sign Karim Benzema, reports Tuttomercatoweb [via Metro].
The Gunners have had a bid of £48 million accepted for the player according to talkSPORT pundit Rodney Marsh, and rumours have grown that the Premier League side are going to complete a move for the 27-year-old. It is unknown whether the Bernabeu boss’s feelings are because he is about to see one of his star players depart, or to do with the way the North Londoners have gone about their business with regarding Benzema’s transfer.
Last season, the France international managed 15 goals and 10 assists in 29 La Liga matches, and he has been a key part of Los Merengues’ first team since his arrival in 2009. As such, the Spanish giants would likely need a replacement if he left the club.
Arsene Wenger is interested in the forward as he attempts to orchestrate a challenge for the title.
In recent campaigns, the 65-year-old has relied on Olivier Giroud to spearhead his team, but there have been doubts over the 28-year-old’s ability against the best sides [Daily Telegraph]. With results against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City sure to be important if Arsenal are to stand in with a chance of winning the division, an improvement will be needed in the final third if the Gunners are to mount a title challenge.
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If Arsenal are not able to get their man, they have lined up other targets.
PSG star Edinson Cavani [Daily Express] and Borussia Dortmund ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang [journalist Kike Marin] have both been linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, but don’t appear to be their first choices.
Wenger still wants to sign a striker: Aubameyang, the alternative to Benzema, his first option. #Arsenal #Dortmund pic.twitter.com/ojPesCy4wy
— Kike Marin** (@Kike_Marin_) August 14, 2015