Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema Rumours, Latest on Lars Bender

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he’s hopeful of making one more signing this summer, as rumours about a potential move for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema continue to gather pace.

The Frenchman was speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday, and with less than two weeks remaining in the window, was quizzed on the possibility of any more incoming players, per Matt Morlidge of the MailOnline:

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When the season starts, the window should be finished. Simple as that. It is too big an advantage for clubs that didn't work well during the transfer window.

The funds are there, people know that you have the resources, but the players are not available. We expect, like you, to make another signing. But at the moment, we are not close.

"

The player who Arsenal supporters have been excited about all summer is Benzema. As noted by Morlidge’s piece, the Gunners have been linked with a move for the Los Blancos star throughout the summer window, and according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, a deal could be done as early as Tuesday:

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Arsenal are believed to have rented a Gulfstream private jet to accommodate Benzema on Sunday evening.

— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) August 21, 2015"

But given Real Madrid’s season begins this weekend and Benzema is the only orthodox No. 9 in the squad, it’d be a major turn up for the books if a deal was to be done now. 

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According to Enrique Ortego of Marca, Los Blancos are not looking to bring in a new centre-forward in the latter stages of the window, subsequently pinning their hopes on the attacking trio of Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ortego writes that the club directors “think that the team has enough goals in it.”

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez cannot see a deal happening:

It’d leave the Gunners pursuing other options if they are to bolster their centre-forward position in the latter stages of the transfer window. Benzema seems to have always been an ambitious target, and if Real Madrid don’t want to sell players, typically they don’t go anywhere.

With Wenger admitting there is money to spend, perhaps the Gunners will move to other options who can bring goals to the team. But with voids in other areas of the squad, perhaps the Frenchman will decide to inject some quality elsewhere.

Arsenal Eyeing Lars Bender

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

One facet of the team which could certainly do with some new blood is defensive midfield, so reports suggesting the Gunners have been scouting Lars Bender will be music to the ears of those whom frequent the Emirates Stadium.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Adam Skinner of the Daily Express), there were Arsenal representatives in situ in Rome earlier this week, running the rule over the Bayer Leverkusen destroyer. It’s claimed in the piece that a sum of £12 million may be enough to prise Bender away from the Bundesliga club.

Here’s what he’d add to this Arsenal team:

Bender is a player who’d certainly fit the bill at the base of the Gunners midfield. He may not be flashy or flamboyant, but the German is strong in possession, bullish in the tackle and an astute reader of the game. The latter two attributes in particular are in very short supply in this Arsenal squad.

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The Bayer man is definitely one of the standout players in his position in the Bundesliga; here’s how he compared to the Premier League’s best in matches last season:

	Bender	Matic	Coquelin	Schneiderlin
Apps (Sub)	25 (1)	35 (1)	19 (3)	24 (2)
Goals	1	1	0	4
Assists	3	3	0	1
Passes per game	41.1	63.8	45.5	61.2
Passing accuracy	70.5%	86.4%	85.8%	89.3%
Tackles per game	2.9	5.8	3.2	3.7
Interceptions per game	3.2	1.8	3.7	2.6

Arsenal supporters would love to see the team go out and spend big money on a player who would bang in the goals, but running the rule over this squad, the biggest concern is the base of the midfield. It’s an area where Wenger has long left unaddressed, and doing so would surely enrich the Gunners’ chances of a title tilt.

Bender seems like a logical option, but Leverkusen would be reluctant to sell at such a late stage in the window. Manager Roger Schmidt seems to be building an exciting side at the BayArena, and you can guarantee their midfield dynamo will be central to any future plans.