Arsenal and Manchester are eyeing a shock move for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, according to Sport Bible. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner recently announced his retirement from international football after failing to feature in the World Cup due to a recurring injury. Nonetheless, Benzema made a return for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid after sitting out majority of this new season due to a hip flexor knock.
However, the 35-year-old’s days could be numbered at Santiago Bernabeu as the Premier League duo have come calling. Moreover, his current deal at the club expires at the end of the season, when he will be available for a free transfer unless Real extend his stay. But no talks of an extension have been heard till now and as a result, the striker could be free to hold talks with interested parties during the January market.
Real Madrid captain prime target for Premier League duo in dire need of a striker
It is quite clear that both Arsenal and Man United need a striker to lead their attack. The Gunners’ summer recruit Gabriel Jesus sustained a knee injury during Brazil World Cup campaign in Qatar and had to undergo a surgery on it. As a result, he is sidelined for at least three months forcing the league leaders to enter the market for a new striker.
Meanwhile, Man United too lost a striker in Cristiano Ronaldo who was sacked by the club last month after that infamous Piers Morgan interview. Although Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have kept the supply of goals steady, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he still needs the club to sign a new striker. Moreover, after losing Cody Gakpo to Liverpool, the Red Devils are more attentively searching for a forward in the market.
Karim Benzema is where the two clubs’ quest for a striker has brought them, with both the sides well aware of his expiring deal which is not yet extended by Real Madrid. Arsenal’s interest in Benzema is no new, since the Gunners have been long-time admirers of the France forward, right from the days of their French manager Arsene Wenger who wanted to bring him to London from Lyon.
The North Londoners are set to launch a formal approach for the Real Madrid captain in the coming days. On the other hand, United are ready to make Benzema their best paid player at Old Trafford should he decide to join hands with Ten Hag. Although at 35, the striker could be a step back for Ten Hag in his project at the club which he wants to build with young blood, Benzema has proved that he still ageing like a fine wine.
He netted a staggering 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions last season helping the Los Blancos to a double of Champions League and La Liga. There was no doubt it was him who was going to get the podium at the Ballon d’Or and he did become Real’s first player since Luka Modric to win the prestigious award. This season has been a bit difficult for the Frenchman, having featured just 13 times so far for the Spanish champions, managing 8 goals.
And while Arsenal and United plan to entice him away, Real Madrid too are determined to extend his stay at the club. Club president Floretino Perez has already confirmed that he wants their Ballon d’Or winner to stay beyond his current deal and that a new contract extension is being prepared for the captain. With all the indications, Benzema too is tipped to put stay at Santiago Bernabeu, rejecting a move somewhere else, making it difficult for the Premier League duo.