It’s has become almost routine that Karim Benzema’s name is mentioned every transfer window and linked with Arsenal. This time it’s the Daily Star who claim the forward is finally ready to sign for the Gunners for £52.4m(€60m).
The report states that the Gunners representatives have met with his agent in a Madrid Hotel. However, it’s a story that originated from Diario Gol and has about as much credibility as Madonna claiming to be a virgin. £52.4 million for a thirty-year-old? for a player that has an indifferent season and has not made the French World Cup squad?
The North London club have enough firepower at in that area, with Lacazette and Aubameyang looking incredibly potent at present, so a third striker would be like having three gloves, two in one colour and one in another.
It’s true that Wenger tried, on numerous occasions to bring the Frenchman to the Emirates and failed, but Arsenal have no need of his services and Sven Mislintat is busy in other areas, looking at younger and cheaper faces.
He doesn’t exactly fit the head of recruitments profile either, as an emerging talent with potential. It’s much more likely that he will head to the MLS, which has again become the graveyard of aging footballers or he may head to the Chinese super league for one last hefty payout.
The opportunity to link the Frenchman with the troubled north London club was probably too much to resist but the criteria has changed at Arsenal with Wenger’s departure and apart from acquiring emerging talent, the emphasis is on developing academy players.
There are a whole host of youngsters knocking on the door and after the arrival of the new manager within a week, possibly two, the job of clearing out the existing squad will take place.
The majority of Arsenal’s current defence is under threat plus Welbeck, Xhaka and Wilshere, depending on who is appointed. The emergence of Ainsley Maitland-Niles could mean that the whole midfield may be revamped to accommodate the youngster who has been impressive with limited opportunities.
Wenger’s recent policy of introducing youth this season has paid dividends in the form of rising stars Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, who will all be possible candidates for a starting position.
