According to reports from The Express this morning, Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has refused to rule out a move to Arsenal this summer.
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.
But the recent appointment of Rafa Benitez has put the France international’s Bernabeu career in doubt, with the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss intending to utilise three-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo as a centre-forward next season.
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The 6 foot 2 front-man has been mooted as a possible replacement for Robin van Persie at Manchester United, but Arsenal have proved the most proactive in courting his signature thus far.
Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger is believed to have personally phoned up Benzema to discuss a summer move to north London and according to The Express – who cite reports from El Confidential – the 77-cap international did not give an outright ‘no’.
Arsenal are allegedly preparing a £35million bid but will unlikely make it official until the latter stages of the transfer window, when Benzema’s role in the Real Madrid starting Xi becomes clearer.