According to reports from The Daily Star this morning, Arsenal are preparing a £17.8million bid for Real Madrid front-man Karim Benzema.
The 27 year-old boasts 133 goals in 281 appearances for the Bernabeu outfit, helping them claim a La Liga title, a Champions League title and two Copa del Reys since arriving in the Spanish capital from Lyon in summer 2009.
The recent appointment of Rafa Benitez, however, could see the France international’s spell with the La Liga giants come to an abrupt end, with the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss intending to utilise Cristiano Ronaldo as a centre-forward next season.
That’s lead to interest from Manchester United. But Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger is known admirer of the 6 foot 2 striker and refused to rule out a summer bid back in May.
According to The Star, who cite Spanish newspaper AS, Arsenal are now set to ramp up their interest with an £18million bid in the pipeline.
With three years remaining on his Bernabeu contract, however, it seems unlikely Real Madrid will sell for such an ordinary fee.