Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Line-Up £25m Striker Move?

Arsenal are lining up a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to reports in Spain today.

As an Arsenal fan I would love nothing more than to see the Frenchman in the famous Red & White but this move is highly unlikely to say the least.

The Spanish reports are claiming that Arsene Wenger has identified Benzema as a replacement for Robin van Persie, who funnily enough is being targeted by Madrid.

We all know RVP has only 18 months left on his contract, so it makes sense that Wenger will be drawing up a short list of potential replacements just in case the worst happens and van Persie leaves. But is Benzema a realistic target? I doubt it, and here’s why:

• He is finally establishing himself as a first choice player at the Bernabeau and has scored 14 goals in 23 games this season.
• He would cost in excess of £25m – too much for Arsenal.
• If Benzema was available, clubs like Man City or Chelsea would outbid Arsenal.
• His wages would be well over 100k per week, beyond our wage structure.
• Would he leave Madrid for Arsenal?

The idea of a swap deal has also been mooted, which would make sense should van Persie want to leave for Madrid, but i still couldn’t see Arsenal being able to afford Benzema’s wages. This seems like another unlikely piece of transfer gossip to me.