Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema and Joel Campbell Rumours

Arsenal's chances of signing Real Madrid front man Karim Benzema look dashed after manager Arsene Wenger proclaimed his side don't need the attacker, while the Gunners are struggling to offload Joel Campbell.

Following comments from Emirates Stadium icon Thierry Henry, Wenger addressed the speculation linking his side with a move for Benzema, insisting he already has adequate resources up front, per the Daily Star:

"

I heard Thierry Henry say if we buy Benzema we would win the title by a margin. I respect his views but football has evolved and the game has changed since he played here. The out-and-out strikers are no longer there. Tactics have changed.

You do need somebody to score goals and I think Olivier Giroud will not be far from 20 this season. Theo Walcott will be up there too. We have to develop our game and depend less on one player. I truly believe we can win the league. We look like we can score plenty of goals.

"

The north Londoners have developed a reputation for not spending outside their means under Wenger, but they have conducted big deals late on in the last two summer transfer windows.

Wenger may suggest winger Walcott can perform as a centre-forward in some capacity, but Henry was left lost for words when fellow Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness quizzed him on that topic, per Breathe Sport:

"

When Thierry Henry was asked if Theo Walcott can play as a striker... pic.twitter.com/sqNdstExkB

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) August 8, 2015"

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, the Arsenal hierarchy have given the green light for their manager to complete a club-record £45 million deal for Benzema.

On top of that fee, which surpasses Mesut Ozil's £42.5 million arrival in 2013, Benzema would cost £150,000 a week in wages, making him the highest-paid player at the club.

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Benzema's potential switch to the English outfit has long been touted, with Giroud not inspiring confidence with some as the elite figure to lead Wenger's line.

Broadcaster and avid Arsenal fan Piers Morgan professes to possessing some inside knowledge of the deal, saying it will be done after "advanced" talks:

After a difficult first season in north London, scoring four goals in 25 Premier League appearances last term, it doesn't seem like Danny Welbeck is being handed much chance of a headlining future with Arsenal.

David Amoyal, a translator for GianlucaDiMarzio.com, believes it makes more sense for Real to sell next summer, at which point they will be able to bring Alvaro Morata back to the club from Juventus:

Wenger's battle to dismiss the speculation attaching Arsenal to Benzema lingers on, with the Frenchman under the impression he has no need for his compatriot's services this season.

However, the pressure is on his shoulders to ensure the Gunners make necessary improvements to mount a title bid, with Benzema largely viewed as the missing link between them and a genuine charge on Premier League silverware.

Palermo Back Out of Campbell Chase

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Serie A outfit Palermo have found themselves priced out of a move for Arsenal misfit Joel Campbell after failing to reach an agreement with the Premier League club.

That's according to CalcioNews24 (via Forza Italian Football, h/t Squawka), which reports the Italians were unwilling to meet Campbell's €10 million valuation.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

With so much talk of Benzema's possible move to the England club, Campbell looks to be cast out of the Gunners' plans despite causing a stir with Costa Rica at last year's World Cup.

Campbell has spent time out on loan in each of the last four seasons, but he returned to the Emirates Stadium this summer with the apparent intention of finally leaving his mark at Arsenal following this tweet:

However, Campbell would still need to face Giroud, Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez in the fight for playing time up front, making his chances of breaking into the side that much slimmer.

The 23-year-old scored one goal in 20 appearances across all campaigns for Villarreal last term.

Prior to that, Campbell spent temporary spells at Olympiacos, Real Betis and Lorient, enjoying the most fruitful form in Greece, where he bagged 11 goals in 43 outings.

Selling Campbell on could be important to the Gunners in their bid to free up funds and squad space for any imminent arrivals, but the north Londoners' demands look to be too rich for some.