Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema, Joao Virginia Rumours

Arsenal's pursuit of Karim Benzema could come to fruition imminently, as they are reportedly due to wrap up his signing on Friday.

On Thursday, Spanish football expert Graham Hunter told talkSPORT that a deal for Benzema was "doable" but required the Frenchman to inform Real Madrid of his desire to move to North London.

It seems the striker has done just that, according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli via Metro:

Metro also report that the agreement will be on a "four-year deal worth £120,000-a-week."

Benzema was in imperious form last season, scoring 22 goals and assisting a further 11 in all competitions.

The creative striker is known for his clinical finishing, work rate and selflessness in front of goal.

As WhoScored.com illustrates, his impressive talents put the 27-year-old just behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for overall goal contribution in La Liga:

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever believes the Gunners would benefit hugely from Benzema's presence in their squad:

"

Benzema is on the way somewhere it seems. If it's North London then I think that places Arsenal firmly in the title picture this season.

— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) July 28, 2015"

Arsenal are in need of a top-quality, proven goalscorer to share the load with Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez if they are to make a genuine title challenge next season.

In Benzema, they would have exactly that.

If the deal goes ahead, expect the Frenchman to thrive at Arsenal as he fires them to their most successful league campaign in years, with Giroud and Sanchez also benefiting from his selfless and creative passing.

Arsenal Beat Manchester United to Signing of Joao Virginia

According to Jamie Sanderson of Metro, citing Portuguese newspaper Mais, 15-year-old goalkeeper Joao Virginia "has arrived in England and is training with the Arsenal squad ahead of completing his transfer to the club."

Sanderson's report adds the Benfica stopper and Manchester United target "needs to wait until he’s 16—in October—before officially becoming a Gunner."

As the video below shows, the youngster is fearless in collecting the ball aerially and in one-on-one situations or clearing it as a "sweeper 'keeper," as well as possessing outstanding reflexes and distribution.

At Arsenal, the 'keeper will have the opportunity to serve as an understudy to one of the Premier League's all-time greats in Petr Cech. 

Further, depending on how long the 33-year-old remains with the Gunners before retiring or moving on, Virginia could be ready to take over Cech's first-team duties at the end of his Arsenal career.

At such an early stage, it's difficult to gauge just how much potential the youngster has, but with the Gunners he has everything he needs to facilitate his development in the coming years.