Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema Belief Grows, Latest on Mesut Ozil Rumours

Arsene Wenger has outlined Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as his "top target" for the summer, according to Greg Stobart of Goal.com.  

However, the Arsenal manager knows the club must "bide their time" in order to see how Benzema is used under new Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez. Similar to the 2013 capture of Mesut Ozil, Wenger will wait until late in the window before potentially launching a bid in the region of £35 million for the Frenchman, per Stobart, who notes the player isn't for sale.

Benitez will be looking to get the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale during his first season with the club. Speculation suggests the former could be pushed into a No. 9 role, leaving little room for Benzema if Madrid are to maintain balance in the midfield. Bale struggled on the flank last season and could also receive greater opportunities through the middle.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Benzema is always going to be the fall guy out of the front three. He could be the leading man at the Emirates Stadium—where he'd knock inconsistent scorer Olivier Giroud out of the side—and would thrive with players such as Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott buzzing around him.

Wenger's main goal is to ensure his current squad continues to build on last season's third-place finish in the Premier League. He isn't endlessly searching for additions after the signing of goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea, but he will keep on the lookout.

"We have to move forward together, which for me it is more important than dreaming about finding a miraculous player who wins you everything," he said, as reported by Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

Famous fan Piers Morgan thinks he knows what this means:

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

The manager may need to ensure his current crop of players stick together first. According to the Sun (h/t James Dickenson of the Daily Express), Ozil has requested "crunch talks" over his future role at the club. This comes amid rumours Juventus are interested in snapping up the German playmaker. 

Wenger continually deployed Ozil on the left flank last season, well away from the central role which made him a star. His play remains inconsistent in this position, but Wenger has been quick to dismiss reports of his potential exit, per Sky Sports:

"

Look, I never spoke to him on that front or on a football front as well. But the suggestions are created always by people who – I don’t know, want to create news, but there is nothing concrete in that.

He’s an important player for our team and he’s a player of course we count on to continue our development and our success.

"

Wilson doesn't expect to see Ozil leave:

Arsenal's title challenge would significantly falter if the former Madrid man does say goodbye. Wenger should be looking to add Benzema—a player Ozil worked well with at the Bernabeu—if he's serious about wrestling the crown from Chelsea's grasp.

The Gunners remain one of the Premier League's most entertaining sides. Adding a world-class striker should be the club's main priority now that Cech is installed as the No. 1. Benzema wouldn't go unloved in north London and could finally take on the role of the main man, something he'll never truly receive at Madrid.