Arsenal Transfer News: Edinson Cavani Talks Held, Karim Benzema Rumours Denied

Arsenal have reportedly held talks with Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and won't have the opportunity to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to talkSPORT journalist Ian Abrahams.

Abrahams tweeted:

Expanding on Cavani, he said:

The striker has had a number of ups and downs in Paris, often required to play out wide, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic took his favoured central position, but nevertheless the Uruguayan scored a phenomenal 31 goals in all competitions last season.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

A top quality striker would give the Gunners' hopes of contesting the Premier League title race an incredible boost by adding a much-needed ruthless streak and easing the reliance on Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.

As his goal tally shows, Cavani certainly possesses the clinical edge to take Arsenal to the next level, so he would naturally make a strong signing.

From Abrahams' tweet it appears negotiations are at an early stage, but if Benzema can't be prised away from Real Madrid, then Arsenal should go all out to land the 28-year-old's signature.

On Benzema, the commentator said:

However, as has been the case since the speculation linking the Frenchman to the Emirates Stadium began earlier in the summer, there seems to be conflicting reports as to his future, with Sky Germany's Jan Aage Fjortoft understanding there remains a possibility for a deal to be done:

Benzema is a different prospect to Cavani, but would still improve their forward play dramatically.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Though perhaps not quite as prolific as the Uruguayan, Benzema has scored at least 20 goals a season in all competitions every year since 2007-08, save for his first at the Bernabeu.

Where the Frenchman shines compared to Cavani is his creativity, with Transfermarkt reporting that he has registered 86 assists as a Los Blancos player, meaning he would be able to provide goals both personally and for his team-mates in large quantities at the Emirates.

However, one telling indication as to whether he will stay or go is his manager, Rafael Benitez.

According to the Daily Star's Colin Harvey, he told El Pais: "Benzema is a great player. One of my ideas this year is that he can reach the 20 to 25 goals mark. I am very confident."

Therefore, it seems Abrahams may be right about the striker's future.

If that is the case, Arsenal must pursue Cavani, or a Champions League place is likely to be the summit of their ambitions once again.