Arsenal & Liverpool Dealt Decisive Blow In Pursuit Of £40m Target

The summer transfer window is now well under way and managers are working hard to strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal and Liverpool have missed out on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Arsenal and Liverpool’s hopes of landing £40m-rated striker Karim Benzema have finally been dashed after he signed a new contract extension at Real Madrid.

The French striker enjoyed a productive campaign last season with his 24 goals in 52 games helping Madrid land the Champions League trophy with a 4-1 win over rivals Atletico Madrid.

Despite his impressive return, the 26-year-old’s future at the Bernabeu has been question with the striker understood to have been upset by some of the criticism aimed in his direction by the Madrid faithful at times last season.

There has also been speculation that Madrid are interested in Monaco hitman Radamel Falcao, and with Benzema entering the final year of his contract, some suggested the France international would be sold to make room for the Colombian.

The uncertainty led to speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal once again touted as a possible destination having been close to agreeing a deal last summer, while Liverpool were also linked with an audacious £40m move last month.

However, the English duo’s hopes of pulling off a major coup have been dashed with Madrid confirming today that Benzema has committed his future to the club after putting pen-to-paper on a new five-year contract.

The club announced his contract extension in a statement on their official website earlier today.

“Real Madrid announce the extension of the contract between the player Karim Benzema and the club until June 30, 2019, the next five seasons,” the club statement read.

Obviously Arsenal and Liverpool fans would have been delighted had their club managed to lure Benzema away from Madrid, but it was always going to be a tough task.

The Gunners have signed Alexis Sanchez this summer but some Gooners feels they need to sign an out-and-out front-man to really have a squad capable of lifting the title next season, but unfortunately Arsene Wenger is going to have to look elsewhere if he wants to bring in further competition for Olivier Giroud.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

Liverpool are almost certainly still in the market for a striker, despite already signing Rickie Lambert, but Brendan Rodgers search looks set to continue as he tries to add more firepower to his squad following the exit of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.