According to reports from Mirror Football yesterday morning, Arsenal are ‘refusing to give up’ on their pursuit of Real Madrid front man Karim Benzema.
The France international, who boasts 135 goals in 283 appearances for Los Blancos, was linked with a move to north London for much of the summer but ruled out a Bernabeu exit via Twitter during the final week of the transfer window.
Benzema’s early season form compared to Arsenal and Man United’s strike options
Manchester United were also keen on acquiring Benzema according to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who revealed earlier this month that Louis van Gaal’s side attempted to prize the 6 foot 2 centre-forward, former Tottenham star Gareth Bale and centre-back prodigy Raphael Varane from the Bernabeu ranks during the summer.
According to Mirror Football, however, who cite Spanish publication Fichajes, the 27 year-old’s late window snub hasn’t deterred their interest and the Gunners are now preparing a bid for next summer – when Benzema’s contract in the Spanish capital will be twelve months closer to it’s 2019 expiration.
Prior form suggests he’d surpass the goalscoring efforts of countryman Olivier Giroud, but Benzema will likely command a fee around the £45million mark.
Also in the news:
Arsenal face Chelsea in race for £14m Belgium prodigy
Man United make David De Gea best paid goalie in the world
Arsenal to solve goal glut with January swoop for Chelsea strike target
Tottenham fear ‘ugly’ stadium bidding war with Chelsea
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