According to the Evening Standard, Real Madrid are offering striker Karim Benzema to Arsenal at a cut rate price of about $32 million. The Gunners were reportedly interested in the French striker in August, for a fee roughly double what Real Madrid are now requesting.
The report states that current Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has grown increasingly impatient with Benzema, as the French international has only scored two goals in eight La Liga matches (none since August 26th).
Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, has been a longtime admirer of Benema, as the fellow Frenchman tried to bring Benzema to The Emirates both this past August, and in 2009. The Gunners are currently thin at striker, with former outcast Nicklas Bendtner presently serving as the team's backup at the position.
Arsenal's activity in January's transfer market could very well depend on Bendtner's play. Bendtner, a Denmark international, has made two appearances for the Gunners so far this season. While he has not scored in either game, the Dane did set up a goal in the team's Capital One Cup win at West Brom, and also netted a brace (scoring two goals) for his country in a World Cup Qualifier this past Friday.
If Real Madrid were to sell off Benzema, it is understood that it will be because the Spanish giants have a viable striker lined up as a replacement. The Daily Mirror published a story over the weekend stating that Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is still unsettled at Liverpool, and could very well leave the club in January. The sale of Benzema to Arsenal would help pay for the $80 million it would most likely take to pry Suarez away from Liverpool.
The talented but controversial striker would almost certainly jump at a move to Madrid. Suarez was in the papers for almost the entire summer, as he was being linked with a move to both Arsenal and Real Madrid.
Fresh off of a 10 match ban for biting an opposing player, Suarez has scored three goals in his first two Barclays Premier League matches of the season for Liverpool.
No comments:
Post a Comment