Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema Phoned by Arsene Wenger, Top Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly contacted Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to discuss a potential summer move for the Frenchman to the Emirates.

The Gunners need a new top-class striker if they are to genuinely challenge for the Premier League next season, and 27-year-old Benzema would all but guarantee goals.

According to COPE reporter Paco Gonzalez, Wenger has been in contact with Benzema in an attempt to lure him away from the Bernabeu, but the striker is currently happy with Los Blancos:

Per Metro's Jamie Sanderson, it is believed that Real are also unwilling to sell Benzema, reducing Arsenal's chances of getting their man even further.

Reports of a potential Benzema move to north London are nothing new. A recent hint from football agent Muzzi Ozcan that the Gunners were close to the "transfer of the season" had tongues wagging that Benzema was on his way to the Emirates:

"

Arsenal will be making the transfer of the season ! The deal isn't to far from being complete ! Will update in the coming days 

— Muzzi Ozcan (@Muzziozcan) July 8, 2015"

The theory was that Benzema was set to become surplus to requirements at Real as the La Liga giants were looking to sign Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, per Le10Sport (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star).

Equally, the revelation from AS that new Real boss Rafael Benitez is planning to play Cristiano Ronaldo in the No. 9 role would surely see Benzema's playing-time reduced in Madrid:

However, it does seem unlikely that Arsenal could sign Benzema, not even with Wenger's powers of persuasion.

The former Lyon man is remarkable in that he is a striker who both scores plenty of goals and also creates opportunities for those around him.

As WhoScored.com noted, only Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been more influential creatively over the last few seasons:

Real are unlikely to want to part with such a player, but as far as Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson is concerned, that may not be a bad thing for the Gunners.

Johnson recently argued that Benzema would not be a good fit at the Emirates, as he is too similar to current Gunners striker Olivier Giroud and goes missing sometimes in the bigger games:

Perhaps Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain would be a better option, the Argentine having long been a target for the Gunners, per Rhys Turrell in the Daily Star.

Either way, Arsenal need to sign a new front man in the summer window to add depth to their effective, but often vulnerable attacking unit.

With a new striker who could bring 20 goals a season, the Gunners could have genuine designs on the Premier League title, as well as a decent run in the Champions League.