Arsenal remain interested in signing Real Madrid hit man Karim Benzema this summer as Arsene Wenger looks to bring in a big name striker over this summer, according to Express.
Wenger is determined to add another forward to the team after it was reported that we are likely to be without Danny Welbeck for the majority of next season. Arsenal have been forced to turn to an alternative target in recent weeks, after Jamie Vardy snubbed a move in favor of remaining at the Kings Power Stadium next season.
The reports from Express via Spanish outlet El Confidencial claims we remain keen on signing Benzema while some reports suggest we are leading the race to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.
The 28-year-old Real Madrid front man has long been linked with a move to the Emirates and his name always emerges in every transfer window linking him to Arsenal. Any deal for the Frenchman however, will only be finalized if Real Madrid are able to lure a a top target in that position, such as Robert Lewandowski, in whom Madrid are interested extensively.
The French international is currently embroiled in a messy court case after being caught-up in an alleged bribery scandal.
In this context, it would seem that Real could make profit from his deal if Lewandowski was to in some way be lured away from the Allianz Arena by Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who is reportedly not to keen himself on a replacement for Benzema as he trusts his compatriot to continue to deliver at the highest level, in spite of club president Florentino Perez making his fondness for Robert Lewandowski no secret.
The Bundesliga technical director Michael Reschke also forthright with his opinion on the striker’s future, earlier last month.
“Lewandowski will be at Bayern next season,” he said.
“I can tell you categorically that Lewandowski will remain a Bayern player.
“He has three years left on his contract, he is the best striker in the world and there is absolutely no possibility that he will be sold.”
This statement suggests that a deal for Benzema is unlikely at this stage.
Benzema is known as a world class hit man who had a decorated season with Real last term netting 28 goals in 36 appearances for Madrid while he also helped in lifting the Champions League trophy.
I would like to see a world class hit man like Benzema joining Arsenal as he is going to be deadly with the Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil playing right behind him. However it is clear that we will still have to wait for some time before we see him at the Emirates.
