Arsenal close to having huge offer for 20-goal-a-season striker accepted

31 July 2015 09:54

The transfer saga surrounding Karim Benzema looks set to continue with a rather cryptic image of the player on a private jet fuelling further speculation regarding the player'sfuture. That news has now been followed by further reports from Spain suggesting that a bid lodged by Arsenal is set to be accepted.

The report suggests that Benzema has been made the top transfer target for Wenger but this does seem to contradict what the manager said after the Gunners thrashed Lyon 6-0. Whilst Wenger is open to transfers he does feel the squad has a good balance and that they are not desperate for a new striker.

Speaking to Sky the manager said:

"We are open-minded but we are not desperate. Today we didn't have (Danny) Welbeck or (Alexis) Sanchez, who are big players," he said.

"(Jack) Wilshere didn't play as well, so we will have a good squad when everyone is back. We are open-minded but many clubs are on the market with big, big money.

"At the moment our squad is well-balanced quality-wise and numbers-wise.

"When you win the FA Cup final scoring four goals and score six today, it shows scoring goals is not our problem."

The report states that Arsenal have had a previous bid for £31.3m rejected and since improved their offer to £40m, a figure that Real are reported to be ready to accept.

The 27-year-old French international has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid with a record of 20+ goals from the previous five seasons.

Source: DSG