According to reports from AS yesterday morning, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has set aside £45.6million for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
The 27 year-old boasts 133 goals in 281 appearances for Los Blancos and has claimed a La Liga title, a Champions League title and two Copa del Reys since signing from Lyon in 2009.
But his spell in the Spanish capital could come to an abrupt end this summer, with new Bernabeu boss Rafa Benitez intending to utilise Cristiano Ronaldo as a lone centre-forward next season.
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That’s lead to reports of interest from Manchester United, whilst Arsenal have already seen a £32million bid rejected for the 77-cap international.
Despite Benzema’s agent recently insisting otherwise, The Metro claimed last week that Real Madrid would be prepared to sell the 6 foot 2 striker this summer, with one eye on Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus as his replacement.
And according to Spanish publication AS, Gunners gaffer Arsene Wenger has now set aside €65million to sign Benzema. Converting to £45.6million, that would make him the largest signing in Arsenal history, eclipsing the £42.2million spent on Mesut Ozil in summer 2013.
However, AS claim the north London outfit face a fight to sign Benzema this summer. He’s in no rush to leave the Bernabeu, having signed a contract extension until 2019 last year.