Karim Benzema Reportedly Available to Arsenal for Cut-Price January Transfer

Karim Benzema is set to be offered to Arsenal in a cut-price deal during the January transfer window.

As reported by Martin del Palacio of the Evening Standard, Real Madrid are looking to quickly offload the French forward in order to fund a bid for a new striker:

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Arsenal have been told they can sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema for a cut-price deal in January - as the Spanish giants step up plans to sign Luis Suarez. 

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The 25-year-old has netted four goals in 10 appearances across La Liga and the Champions League this season, per WhoScored. Benzema scored an important goal in the club’s 1-1 draw with Valencia, as well as vital strikes in victories over Real Betis, Granada and Galatasaray.

Even so, the former Lyon forward’s future is a hot topic right now. He caught the eye of Arsene Wenger during the summer, per David Hytner of The Guardian, but Madrid’s costly acquisition of Gareth Bale ensured club president Florentino Perez failed to make a move for Liverpool forward Suarez.

With Bale captured, the Spanish giants are reportedly ready to pounce for the Uruguayan’s signature. Perez also claims accumulated funds could be used to pursue Radamel Falcao, as told to television show Punto Pelota and reported via Sporting Life:

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He (Falcao) won't come in January but in June, who knows?

Nothing is impossible and there is a lot of time between now and then, Falcao is a great player and I am aware that he wants to play for (Real) Madrid. I am aware of that, but it's normal. They told me.

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In order to accelerate any deal, Benzema is likely to cost in the region of £20 million, per Del Palacio’s report, a much smaller sum than the £30 million fee outlined in August.

Arsenal continue to be linked with Madrid players since Mesut Ozil exchanged La Liga for the Premier League on transfer deadline day. The German international has galvanised Wenger’s squad and adapted instantly to Arsenal's style, scoring one goal and producing four assists in six appearances for the Gunners, per WhoScored.

Wenger was also reportedly interested in landing Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, who recently suggested he is open to the idea of linking up with Ozil in North London, per the Metro.

Wenger’s willingness to spend £42.4 million on Ozil ensures Arsenal will be linked with a host of players leading up to the January transfer window. If Benzema is offered in a cut-price deal, the current Premier League leaders would be foolish to turn it down.

Although Olivier Giroud has performed admirably so far this season, Benzema’s potential arrival can follow in the footsteps of Ozil and improve Arsenal’s quality with immediate effect.

He is the type of signing Wenger needs to win trophies, and the calibre of name fans can expect to land in the coming years.

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