Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema and Lucas Silva Rumours

Real Madrid look set to be plundered by Premier League giants Arsenal after separate rumours surfaced the London club will sign Karim Benzema and Lucas Silva.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail writes the Gunners are prepared to smash their transfer record to land the French striker—paying in excess of the £42.5 million they spent on the capture of former Galactico player Mesut Ozil.

Mokbel says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger "has been given the all clear" to purchase the Los Blancos attacker, making him the Emirates club's highest earner. 

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Former Arsenal and Barcelona icon, Thierry Henry, has advocated the Gunners move for the Madrid player, saying he would be the final piece in the jigsaw for Wenger.

Speaking in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, Henry talked up the player's ability and Arsenal's chances of winning the Premier League if the France international leaves the Bernabeu:

"

Yes, Arsenal would win the league [if they sign Benzema]. I think if you get Benzema, not only will you challenge for the league, but you also challenge for the Champions League. They need that type of striker who can be different to Olivier Giroud. Him alone as a striker all season, he is very good at what he does but you need to have that type of striker who can stretch a defence, a guy that can go in behind.

"

Francois Mori/Associated Press

However, Wenger cast doubt on an immediate move for Benzema, saying he does not believe Henry fully has the right idea about what he needs from his attack at the present time, per Sky Sports: 

"

I respect Thierry Henry a lot for his football knowledge but it is not as mathematical as that. We have to develop our collective game and depend less on one guy [Benzema] who comes in and scores all the goals.

"

The 27-year-old has been with Los Blancos since his transfer from Lyon in 2009, with the striker playing his part in Madrid's La Liga and La Decima Champions League successes. 

Benzema was on form once again for Carlo Ancelotti last term, scoring 15 goals and providing 10 assists in just 29 La Liga starts, per WhoScored.com.

Benzema's exit would surely facilitate the arrival of a new attacker at Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo likely to continue in the striker's role for the foreseeable future. 

Many underestimate the importance of Benzema to the Madrid model, but with Rafael Benitez's arrival, a shake up is likely—and it could be the Frenchman who becomes the sacrificial lamb, albeit for a huge fee. 

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

AS (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) say Wenger has also revitalised his interest in former target Silva, who might be available, as Madrid look to trim their squad.

Sanderson says "Madrid [are] needing to get rid of one non-EU player before the window shuts," with the 22-year-old possibly heading to London.

Benzema and Silva's departures would concern Madrid fans, with the transfer window ticking down to its closure in the coming weeks.

Madridistas are used to arrivals, not departures, and after the club's lack of performance last season, it could be the case Florentino Perez is clearing the decks for huge new arrivals.

But as Benitez assesses exactly what he needs for his squad over the next 12 months, Bernabeu supporters might have to show patience as a new Galactico contingent is identified and acquired.