Man Utd Look To Trump Arsenal After Tabling €50m Striker Bid

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Manchester United have made a move for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema….

Manchester United have edged ahead of Arsenal in the race for Karim Benzema after tabling a formal €50m bid for the Real Madrid striker, according to reports.

Benzema has just come off the back of another positive season at Madrud that saw him score 22 goals in 46 appearances as the Spanish giants reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and pushed Barcelona all the way in the La Liga title race.

But despite his productive season, the French international still came under fire from some sections of the Bernabeu faithful at times and once again the striker is being linked with a move away this summer.

Speculation earlier this month suggested that long-term admirers Arsenal were ready to renew their interest in the 27-year-old with the Gunners believing that Benzema would be keen on a move to the Emirates, while further reports suggested that Manchester United were also keeping a close eye on the striker.

However, it looks like United have now stolen a march on Arsenal as the Metro are citing reports coming out of Spain which claim that the Red Devils have tabled a €50m (£35.6m) offer to Madrid for Benzema.

Louis van Gaal is expected to be busy in the transfer market again this summer as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for top honours and a striker has become a top priority after the club rejected the chance to sign Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis.

It’s difficult to know how much truth there is behind these reports but if United have made a formal move for the former Lyon hitman, then it will be interesting to see how Madrid respond.

Much will depend on what their new manager has to say. Carlo Ancelotti was sacked last week and Rafa Benitez is the bookies favourite to take over, so I’m sure the Spanish coach will want to have a major say on whether Benzema is sold.

However, there were reports last week that suggested Benitez is ready to give Gareth Bale a more central role in his team next season, which could leave Benzema out in the cold, so there is a chance Madrid may be willing to cash-in.

It appears United are ready to offer the striker a new challenge in the Premier League and are in pole position to land him but if Madrid do decide to sell, then I’d expect Arsenal to be strong contenders for his signature.

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Arsene Wenger has been a long-time fan of Benzema’s and many feel the Gunners are a top class striker short of being genuine title challengers, and the Madrid-man would certainly fill that void.

We’ll have to see how things develop over the coming weeks but one thing’s for sure, Benzema would be a sensational signing for either Arsenal or United if they were able to pull off a major coup this summer.