Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema and Carl Jenkinson Rumours

Arsenal are serious about recruiting Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. The Gunners are actually stepping up their efforts amid rumours Cristiano Ronaldo will replace the Frenchman as the centre-forward of choice for Los Blancos.

Spanish publication AS (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson) claims Wenger remains determined to strike a deal for a player he's admired for years. In fact, AS scribe Edu Herrero cites outside sources claiming a bid is about to be made:

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Arsene Wenger has always been keen to take him to Arsenal. Today, the website ClubCall has reported that the Premier League club are set to make an offer to Real Madrid for €25 million, a figure considerably lower than the €36 million Madrid paid to sign him from Lyon.

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That's pretty close to the £17.8 million the Gunners have recently been reported to have offered for the Los Merengues star. The claim came from Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro).

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Interestingly, Benzema may be available because he doesn't fit new Madrid boss Rafa Benitez's style of play. Herrero states that the former Lyon man's penchant for creativity is not what Benitez is looking for to lead the line next season:

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Benzema is an untypical striker who prefers to chip in with assists than celebrate a goal and has always been trailing Cristiano in the scoring charts.

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But Benitez wants a goalscorer, a striker inside the penalty area.

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But while Benzema's brand of technique over direct power may not endear him to one-time Napoli boss Benitez, it's sure to appeal to Wenger. The Arsenal chief loves his team to play an expansive, attractive game, one based on intricate and stylish passing combinations.

It's one reason why Wenger has persisted with another towering Frenchman, Olivier Giroud, during recent seasons. The ex-Montpellier star is erratic as a finisher, but his ability to link well with fellow attackers and create chances is top-notch.

What Giroud lacks, aside from a truly ruthless streak in front of goal, is the quickness to really stretch defences. That's one area where Benzema has an obvious edge.

The duo have often formed an uneasy partnership for France at international level. Manager Didier Deschamps has even taken to playing Benzema wide in a front three, while Giroud operates through the middle. It's an experiment that has produced only mixed results.

If Wenger finally snaps up Benzema during this summer's transfer window, he may well see him as an obvious replacement for Giroud. That's a tricky needle to thread.

B/R analyst Jonathan Johnson feels Giroud's presence makes Benzema a bad fit for the Gunners. He also cites the inconsistencies that have blighted the player's game for years:

Despite an inflated reputation, Benzema doesn't always perform to his ability. He's wildly inconsistent and has often benefited from playing in good sides.

Of course, Wenger may feel his current Arsenal squad is exactly the type of framework Benzema needs to succeed. A host of classy playmakers, including Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil, would surely create a host of chances for the 27-year-old.

Meanwhile, Benzema and his creative instincts may also craft a prolific connection with Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal certainly need an extra striker to aid a genuine title push in next season's Premier League. Yet it's reasonable to assume the fee needed to actually sign Benzema will be more than the numbers currently reported. It's probably going to be much more than he's worth.

West Ham United Want Permanent Carl Jenkinson Deal

After spending last season on loan at West Ham United, Carl Jenkinson could be set to permanently play his football in east London. A report from the Mirror (h/t Jack Watts of Daily Star Sunday) indicates Hammers co-chairman David Gold is confident about getting a deal done: 

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We are very working hard to try and get Carl back here. We recognise this is an important season for us, being in Europe, and we will go the extra mile to ensure we have got the strongest possible squad we can muster.

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

The idea that Arsenal will be willing to let Jenkinson play elsewhere again is certainly plausible. Hector Bellerin's rise to prominence last season has ensured right-back is one of the strongest positions in Wenger's squad.

There's also veteran Frenchman Mathieu Debuchy, whose debut season in north London was cruelly curtailed by injuries. Youngster Calum Chambers can also play full-back, even though he's better as a central defender.

Whether it's Debuchy or Bellerin in next season's starting 11, the Gunners are going to be strong at one edge of their defence. That's good news for the club, but bad news for Jenkinson's development.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The 23-year-old former Charlton Athletic prospect needs game time. He made great strides during his extended spell on the pitch for the Hammers.

Jenkinson is a popular figure at Arsenal, but it's West Ham who need him more.

While Wenger can afford to trim his defence ahead of the new season, he can't risk not adding to his options up front. Yet that doesn't necessarily mean he needs to spend big on a high-profile replacement for the attackers he already has.

A smart, under-the-radar signing can add depth and another option to a forward line already ably manned by Giroud, Walcott, Sanchez and Danny Welbeck.