Various reports are now claiming that Real Madrid star Karim Benzema could finally be on his way out of Santiago Bernabeu following Los Blancos’ hot pursuit of Kylian Mbappe from Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. According to the same report, Premier League clubs Arsenal and Liverpool remain amongst the most likely destinations for the French forward.
Benzema has been linked with a move to England for many years now with the North London club coming dangerously close to land him a few seasons back. However, things didn’t materialise then and his starting place in Real Madrid’s star-studded squad hasn’t been any surer since then. Real Madrid are going into a transition stage in the coming years and Zinedine Zidane is looking at a smooth change over the next few transfer windows.
Benzema, 29, isn’t likely to stay with them for long and Premier League would be a feasible option. Liverpool have surely been a surprise suitor for the centre forward. By adding the likes of Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Salah, the Reds have already run the risk of benching most of their forwards, and Benzema’s arrival could only worsen the situation.
Roberto Firmino remains Jurgen Klopp’s first choice following his brilliant spell last season, and Solanke’s arrival means Klopp will have to accommodate Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings in his plans for the season somewhere. It is difficult to understand how true the rumour is, but the Frenchman’s arrival would definitely mean some names leaving Anfield.
Ings and Sturridge are most likely to take the hit owing to their immensely injury prone nature and if Klopp gets even the slimmest window of landing Benzema, the German boss isn’t likely to think twice before disposing of them. However, any such possibility sounds difficult to happen.
The first hindrance remains that of Monaco. As per reports, Mbappe is likely to cost Real a whopping £109 million up front, and Florentino Perez is willing to involve Benzema in that deal in a player plus money move. However, there runs the possibility of the Frenchman unwilling to accept that move, in which case Arsenal remains a strong possibility.
Despite bringing in Alexandre Lacazette from AS Lyon a few weeks back, Wenger isn’t likely to let go of the chance to sign Benzema. The French manager is a long-term admirer of the striker and Wenger’s stature in France makes him a strong luring factor for Arsenal in this move.
Benzema would be a great upgrade for any side with his terrific finishing skills and sublime dribbling abilities. Real had bought the player for over £30 million from AS Lyon back in 2009, and Benzema has scored a staggering 180 goals for the Whites over the past eight seasons.
