Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling Rumours

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reportedly remains "desperate" to secure the signing of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

That's according to Fichajes.net (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro), who claim that the Spanish giants are ready to cash in on the French forward in the upcoming window. As such, the piece claims that Benzema is Wenger's "top target" as he looks to add some more firepower to his side.

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The latter stages of the season have certainly drilled home the Gunners' need to add a top-class striker, per Squawka:

Arsenal have been reliant on the goals of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez so far this campaign, but when those two are shutdown by the opposition defence, the Gunners struggle for an incisive edge. That's been wholly evident in a trio of recent home games, when each of Chelsea, Swansea City and Sunderland have been able to sit deep and nullify the hosts.

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Benzema would be a dream purchase. Not only is he forensic in his finishing—he's netted 22 goals in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com—but he has the talent to link up with the Gunners' clutch of attacking midfield options, too.

As we can see here, courtesy of OptaJose, the Frenchman is a creative player, too:

Although the report does suggest otherwise, it's tough to see why Real would even ponder selling a player of Benzema's class. He's a brilliant goalscorer, a wonderful foil for Cristiano Ronaldo and does an understatedly superb role at the point of the attack.

Arsenal should be looking to get a player in who marries poise and physicality as expertly as Real's No. 9, but at this juncture, it's tough to see a situation materialising that will see the Gunners lure the Frenchman to North London.

Kevin De Bruyne To Cost Big Money

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A fee of £35 million will not be enough to prise Kevin De Bruyne away from Wolfsburg this summer. That's according to the club's sporting director Klaus Allofs, who was pretty blunt when pressed about a potential sale for the aforementioned amount.

"[£35m] seriously?" said Allofs, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star. "We wouldn't even flinch at an amount like that."

In fairness to the Wolfsburg chief, he has a case. After all, De Bruyne has been one of the best young playmakers in European football this season, pushing Wolfsburg to second place in the Bundesliga with his dazzling creativity.

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As noted by Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur, the former Chelsea star has broken records for his astonishing assists this season:

But he's not a player whom Arsenal really need in terms of style. Wenger already has an array of intricate midfield players in this squad, and to sign another one for a sum that would potentially be a club-record fee would be plain rapacious.

The Gunners desperately need to bolster other areas of this team before even thinking about pursuing a player like De Bruyne, as noted by Bleacher Report's Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas:

At this juncture, De Bruyne should stick it out with Wolfsburg. He's a young player who, having been frozen out at Chelsea, will surely plot his next move carefully, but for the time being, he's on an upward curve with the Bundesliga club, and they're a team that are going places with the Belgian at the heart of their side.

Thierry Henry Keen On Sterling

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Gunners icon Thierry Henry has spoken about his former club making a potential move for Raheem Sterling, insisting he would be pleased to see him switch Liverpool red for Arsenal red in the summer window.

Speaking on Sky Sports during Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Sunderland (h/t Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail), the Frenchman insisted that while he feels Sterling has been poorly advised, he'd happily see Arsenal reap the benefits of Liverpool's problems:

"

We know he is a Londoner. We all know Arsenal want him from what Arsene [Wenger] was saying yesterday [Tuesday].

I think we all know that he is receiving bad advice. You can't go out and talk about your contract in the press. You should respect the fans and club you play for.

When I was young I had problem with Madrid and Monaco. Some guys put stuff in my head and it affected my game. You can blame the agent/advisor but you need to be a man and say 'enough, you are destroying my life and my career.'

He is a great product of Liverpool and for England and I'd be more than happy to see him at Arsenal.

"

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Sterling's agent Aidy Ward allegedly made comments to Benedict Moore-Bridger of the London Evening Standard claiming that his client is "definitely not signing" a contract extension with Liverpool. As Henry noted, Wenger was coy when he was questioned about potentially pursuing the youngster, too.

It seems as though Liverpool—who have previously been boisterous in insisting Sterling will stay at Anfield, per Augustus' piece—may be coming to the end of their tether on the matter, given they've cancelled an arranged meeting with Ward on Friday, per Tony Barrett of The Times:

Again, stylistically, Sterling isn't the kind of player Arsenal should be pursuing. There's no denying that the kid has a lot of potential, but there are so many options available to Wenger in this facet of his squad. With Chelsea and Manchester City also apparently interested, according to Augustus' piece, the Gunners might also have to pay top dollar for his services.

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Sterling clearly wants out of Anfield, but Liverpool have previously proven they can be stubborn when it comes to players with eyes elsewhere; just ask Luis Suarez.

But with the England star's contract running down, if a sizeable offer comes in, it's something the club will have to consider seriously; it'd be a massive surprise if that bid was lodged by Arsenal, though.