According to reports, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema has a realistic chance of leaving Santiago Bernabeu soon as the Whites are keen to land Paulo Dybala and Antoine Griezmann next summer. And it leaves the Frenchman with one of his preferred options as his next destination, Arsenal. Benzema ‘likes Arsenal’ as per reports and the North London club won’t be missing the opportunity to land him.
The Gunners have their cup currently filled up-front with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez, all able to fill in the place. And given that they have managed to score seven goals in four games, indicates that they are all clicking well.
Despite Arsenal’s poor start to their domestic campaign, one can hardly say that the squad hasn’t performed well except for the game against Liverpool. Their first loss against Stoke City was unfortunate with a goal wrongly disallowed and many chances squandered. While the loss to Liverpool was an entirely different context with the transfer deadline day playing a huge role.
However, next season is bound to see some major names leaving the club that will likely include Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. And Arsenal will have to replace them with quality options that leave the door wide open for Benzema.
The Real Madrid hitman, 29, has been heavily linked with a move to North London ever since he emerged with Ligue 1 giants Lyon before Real Madrid swooped in for him.
He has since then established himself as one of their best striker nettings in 182 goals and provided 104 assists in 371 appearances for Real over eight seasons, on the way to helping them win 14 trophies. However, he isn’t getting any younger and Real boss Florentino Perez has his eyes set on Atletico Madrid’s Griezmann and Juventus’ Paulo Dybala.
Real Madrid’s poor start to the domestic season, where they have picked up just five points from three games, has been quite frustrating for Perez and he is reportedly planning to sell Benzema and Gareth Bale to make ways for his targets.
Griezmann would need Real to splurge somewhere in the region of £91m (€100m), which is his release clause, and Real will have to facilitate that through high profile sales. Manchester United are interested in Gareth Bale, who will likely be available for around £91 million. Arsenal can swoop in for Benzema in the meantime and his exile from the national squad will also be of great help for the club.
But is he the right for the Gunners’ future?
