Arsenal Transfer News: Mega Deals Targeted in Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to unveil Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in front of the Emirates faithful as soon as Monday evening.

That’s according to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, who said that Benzema will undergo a medical with the Gunners on Monday afternoon:

Now, I know what you’re thinking: This is just another far-fetched rumour for Arsenal fans to get unnecessarily excited about—and, possibly, please stop talking about Benzema—but there could be some backbone to Giulianelli’s tale.

Former footballer Rodney Marsh recently told talkSPORT that a bid in the region of £48 million had been accepted by Los Blancos for the front man, while manager Arsene Wenger himself hasn’t ruled out a big signing.

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As reported by Jon West of the Daily Telegraph, Wenger said that he will splash the cash in the transfer market, but only for an addition that will bring something to the squad:

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It hasn’t been a frustrating window for me because I’m always more focused on developing the team and the players we have inside the club. I’m not against buying when it is really a plus for the team. If it is just buying players at the level of the players you have I am not ready for that. But in every position we have strong players.

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One thing Arsenal don’t have, however, is an out-and-out goalscorer.

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Olivier Giroud is an excellent player, sure, but you just get the sense that a world-class striker would bury far more chances with such excellent service coming their way.

Arsenal fans are rightly adopting a believe-it-when-they-see-it policy on the Benzema front, but those inside the Emirates on Monday evening may well have to hold their hands up and admit that the torrential transfer rumours were actually on to something.

Edinson Cavani

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Now, here’s why the transfer window is called silly season. George Bellshaw of Metro wrote that Spanish outlet Fichajes.net is reporting that the Gunners are indeed in the market for a top-class striker, yet it’s Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani, not Benzema.

Broadcaster Ian Abrahams has also heard such a rumour:

Bellshaw reports that he wants to fly to London for a medical in the coming days.

Cavani’s agent has reportedly been negotiating with Arsenal, but a deal has now been struck and the transfer officially has the green light.

It hasn’t been the best start to the 2015/16 season for the 28-year-old, as he’s yet to find the net and has looked visibly jaded on the pitch.

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However, there’s no denying Cavani’s lethal ability in front of goal. Much like Benzema, he’s the kind of striker who gobbles up any half chance that comes his way.

The forward is valued at around £45 million, so it’s really a case of which striker Wenger would prefer to go all out to land.

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The trouble is, you never know what to believe when the rumour mill starts churning; but for Arsenal fans, any one of these rumours coming true would be a big boost.

The Gunners are incredibly close to being a complete outfit, and should Wenger have to splash close to £50 million to get the kind of forward that supporters have been crying out for, then it’ll be money well spent.