Arsenal

Arsenal consider Alexis-Benzema swap deal

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OPINION

Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing up a move for Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal would be willing to sanction the move if Karim Benzema is included in the deal.

Spanish outlet Don Balon claims that the La Liga champions are considering alternatives should they fail to sign Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe and club president Florentino Perez has placed the Gunners’ 28-year-old Chilean on his wishlist.

The report claims the North London club are ready to negotiate the potential summer transfer but they would like to acquire the services of the French centre-forward in a swap deal.

Good move for Arsenal?

At this current moment, Sanchez is a far better player than Benzema and Arsenal would be making a huge mistake should they decide to sanction this move.

Despite enjoying great success during his eight-year spell in the Spanish capital, the Frenchman is not a player who guarantees the same work rate nor the same amount of goals that Sanchez can offer.

Benzema only managed to score 11 goals in the league last season – back-up striker Alvaro Morata scored four more goals than him and featured in three fewer matches.

The Chilean is an all-rounded option for Arsenal as not only does he score goals, he also provided supplies for his fellow teammates as he produced 19 assists in all competitions last season compared to Benzema’s nine.

The Gunners have already invested big money in bringing centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette to the club therefore there is no need to add another striker to the squad.

Benzema’s potential arrival would also surely see frontman Olivier Giroud leave the club which would be a massive loss given his ability to affect the game from the substitutes bench.

Arsenal should focus all of their attention on keeping Sanchez at the club at all costs for at least one more season.

This Is Futbol rating: 2/10

Likely to happen?

If Real Madrid manage to secure the signature of one of the main targets in Mbappe this summer, it is highly plausible that one of their current front three might be allowed to leave but Benzema is likely to retain his place.

The Frenchman is highly rated at the Bernabeu and manager Zinedine Zidane is not likely to sanction his departure this summer.

Arsenal have already made their stance on Sanchez fairly clear although they would prefer to see him sold abroad rather than join a fellow Premier League rival.

Benzema has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for years but the player himself will surely be keen to stay in Spain as Madrid look a strong force this season and could potentially retain both the La Liga title and the Champions League.

This Is Futbol rating: 1/10

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