Arsenal are currently considering an ambitious swoop to sign Karim Benzema.
It is no secret that Arsenal are on the lookout for a new striker. They have already by linked with a host of big names, including PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Now, Mbappe’s fellow Frenchman who has previously hit similarly stratospheric heights in the game, Karim Benzema, has emerged as a potential target for the Gunners.
According to TeamTalk, Arsenal are one of two Premier League clubs currently weighing up a move for the veteran attacker. Chelsea are also keen to secure his services this winter.
Benzema is currently on the books with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad. However, the 36-year-old is certainly unsettled at the club. As reported by Marca, he has missed several club events and has been excluded from the Al-Ittihad training camp in Dubai. This all suggests that the club would be willing to let the forward go, and that Benzema himself would welcome an exit opportunity.
Despite his age, signing Benzema would still represent a major coup for the Gunners. Whilst the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner may not now be quite the player he once was, he is still a supremely gifted striker. This is likely his last opportunity to test himself in the Premier League, and he still has the capacity to shine at that level.
How can Edu bring Karim Benzema to Arsenal?
Over the course of his career to date, Benzema has been one of the most successful strikers in world football. In his 14-season stint at Real Madrid he scored 354 goals, won four La Liga titles, and five Champions League crowns, amongst many other honours. Prior to that, he established himself at Lyon, who he helped fire to four Ligue 1 triumphs.
The 97-cap former France international is an elite-level player who would raise the standards of Mikel Arteta’s squad, at least on a short-term basis.
Arsenal have discussed making a move for Benzema internally, and have to view the player as a short-term option. This is not just because of his age, but also due to the expense associated with securing his signature. His current contract with Al-Ittihad sees him earn almost £200 million per season. Arsenal are also struggling with a lack of funds as it is.
The only way that sporting director Edu can possibly hope to get Benzema through the door at the Emirates Stadium is on a loan basis until the end of the season. The striker would have to forego a significant chunk of his wages, or Al-Ittihad would have to cover them during his stay in north London, but that may prove to be an agreeable compromise given the player is now such an outcast figure in Saudi Arabia.
A move for Benzema would be an ambitious one for Arsenal to attempt, but there is a chance that a deal could be done this month.
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