Transfer talk: Arsenal make Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema ‘priority’ in finishing business

Arsenal

Spanish newspaper AS is reporting Arsene Wenger, a winner over Jose Mourinho and Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield curtain-raiser, might have one last trick up his sleeve before the true start of the Premier League season on August 9.

Arsenal, according to the Spanish report, have €65 million (Dh261.6m) set aside to launch a last-gasp bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. "Arsene Wenger," says the report, "hasn't forgotten about Karim Benzema".

Arsenal have made only one major transfer this summer, bringing Petr Cech from Chelsea to be their first-choice goalkeeper. France international Benzema would arguably give them a first-choice strike option, likely to be paired with countryman Olivier Giroud.

Benzema scored 15 goals and assisted on 10 more for Madrid last season in 29 Primera Liga starts. He faded toward the end of the season, with minor injuries keeping him out of a series of matches. Nevertheless, his overall output was consistent with his last few seasons at Real, where he scored 17 league goals in 2013/14, 11 in 2012/13, 21 in 2011/12 and 15 in 2010/11.

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"Benzema is a priority" notes the AS report, adding that Arsenal hope to sign a top striker and centre-back before the summer transfer period is through. The report also cautions that with Benzema's recently renewed contract, a deal remains difficult to strike.

However, with apparent internal doubts that Benzema remains a fit at Madrid, the opening for Wenger may be there.

It would be a resounding signal to title rivals Chelsea. After Mourinho’s men ran away with the title last season, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal have been expected to be aggressive in the summer dealings to close the gap. So far, though, Arsenal have yet to make the same kind of waves as the Manchester clubs.

Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, has told the Daily Mirror that "Arsenal have made the best signings" solely on their move for Cech.

“He is the best signing in the league, he is that important,” Ferdinand said.

Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign in less than a week, against West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.

Transfer talk: Arsenal make Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema ‘priority’ in finishing business

According to a report out of Spain, Arsenal are saving their summer masterstroke on Karim Benzema, with a war chest assembled of €65 million for the Real Madrid striker.