Arsenal Transfer News: Petr Cech Deal Close, Latest Karim Benzema Rumours

Arsenal showed last season they are just a couple of good signings away from making a genuine Premier League title challenge for the first time in a decade in the 2015-16 season.

A top-class striker is arguably a necessity given the inconsistent form of Olivier Giroud, and Arsenal have reportedly been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid front man Karim Benzema.

According to Spanish outlet AS (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), new Los Blancos boss Rafael Benitez is looking to offload the Frenchman in the summer to raise funds to sign Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.

This leaves the Gunners with an opportunity to sign the 27-year-old Benzema, a long-rumoured target of manager Arsene Wenger's, per Ben Jefferson in the Express.

Benzema would add true quality to the Gunners attack, with current No. 1 strike choice Giroud often failing to produce week in, week out. As Squawka noted, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been more consistent creatively in La Liga over the last two seasons than Benzema:

If Real truly are looking to sell on the former Lyon man, Wenger must go in for him, as he could prove the difference next season in the title race.

Not only is he a better striker than Giroud, he would bring added depth to the role, where Danny Welbeck is currently the only real alternative option as an out-and-out forward man.

However, Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven is unconvinced that Wenger will make big changes this summer:

Despite an impressive end to the season in 2014-15—when the title was already out of reach—Arsenal do need some high-profile additions to be genuine contenders next term.

Benzema could be one of those necessary additions, but Wenger has to be prepared to make the plunge.

Cech Deal Close

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Another necessary addition is a new goalkeeper, and the good news for Gunners fans is that a deal for Chelsea's Petr Cech is reportedly close.

A problem area at the Emirates for some time now, current options Wojciech Szczesny and David Opsina do not inspire complete confidence.

However, four-time Premier League champion Cech is a proven world-class goalkeeper and Arsenal are not far away from signing the 33-year-old for £10  million, according to Matt Law in the Telegraph.

The Czech Republic international was demoted to the bench at Stamford Bridge last season behind Thibaut Courtois, but his quality remains undeniable.

Football writer Rafael Hernandez pithily sums up just how much of an asset Cech could be in north London:

There could still be complications in confirming a deal, with the Blues surely loath to see one of their stars move to a rival club.

However, there is a huge amount of good will toward Cech at Stamford Bridge after over a decade of service, and he reportedly wants to stay in London, per Law.

Not only will Cech be brilliant for Arsenal given his quality as a goalkeeper, but as a marshal for an often criticised Gunners defence, his potential value cannot be underestimated.

It would be a major coup for Wenger to sign Cech, and he would solve a problem that has dogged Arsenal for some time now.