Arsenal are set to bid a club record £27m for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to reports in the Daily Mail.
Arsene Wenger is hoping the signing of Benzema may persuade French team mate Samir Nasri to stay on at the club, after the Gunner boss increased his wage offer to £100,000p/w in a last ditch attempt to make the midfielder stay.
Even if Arsenal do lose Nasri, as well as captain Cesc Fabregas who is widely expected to finally make the move to Barcelona this summer, Wenger is worried what losing two key players could do to supporters moral heading in to the new season, so hopes a marquee signing like Benzema would ease fan frustration.
It is believed that Madrid boss Jose Mourinho would sanction the sale of Benzema in order to free up funds to sign Sergio Aguero, and it seems Arsene Wenger is finally willing to splash the cash in the transfer market. The Gunner are also expected to complete the signing of Gervinho on Friday in an £11m deal.
