Arsene Wenger is poised to make a move to bring Karim Benzema from Real Madrid to Arsenal.
That’s according to the Mirror this morning with a report that AW says a move for the French striker “doesn’t seem impossible” even if it would see a huge change in transfer policy for the club.
The paper says Benzema, 23, may be available this summer as Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho looks to shake-up his squad to finance a bid for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.
AW said: “I think he’s intelligent in his movement, I think he is capable of combining well and making a difference, and of doing individual moves as well. So, for me he’s a player who’s at the top level in the world.”
Arsenal would have to spend around £20m for Benzema.
Meanwhile, the Mail reports that Alisher Usmanov is flexing his muscles in the Arsenal power battle by offering to buy shares at a higher price than controlling stakeholder Stan Kroenke.
Usmanov, placed second in the latest Sunday Times rich list with £12.2billion, has instructed his brokers to go up to £14,000 per share. Kroenke has offered £11,750, claims the paper.
Usmanov, who has 27.3 per cent of Arsenal compared to Kroenke’s ruling 63 per cent holding, has made his move for the remaining stake – a little under 10 per cent of the club – after being snubbed by the American, says the tabloid.
it adds that Kroenke won’t meet Usmanov face to face, let alone offer him a seat on the board commensurate with his shareholding.
The Russian, who was paying a premium £12,500 for clusters of shares this week, had his written request for a meeting with Kroenke turned down. The response was that if Usmanov wanted to talk he should do so via Kroenke’s lawyers.
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