Arsenal Transfer News: Major Karim Benzema Development Expected, Latest Rumours

Arsenal fans will feel their hearts racing a little faster—with rumours Karim Benzema will shortly be confirmed as manager Arsene Wenger's huge summer signing. 

Jack Wilson of the Daily Star relayed Gazzetta dello Sport's Emanuele Giulianelli's claims that Benzema will be presented to the Emirates Stadium crowd before Monday's Premier League fixture with Liverpool: "He [Benzema] will have a medical Monday early afternoon and be confirmed just before kick-off. He will stay in 5 stars hotel London centre."

And the Italian writer also tweeted on Monday that further developments are expected shortly:

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Harry Pratt of the Daily Star says Benzema "is ready to swap Real Madrid for Arsenal," with Wenger set to table an imminent £50 million offer for the Frenchman. 

The deal would break the Gunners' transfer record—payed to Los Blancos for the services of Mesut Ozil, who signed for £42 million two years ago, as reported by Pratt. Benzema has 87 goals in his 187 La Liga appearances since joining from Lyon—and he is the ready-made finished article Wenger craves for his attack.

However, Benzema's agent has swiftly denied any transfer is ready to happen, with Karim Djaziri saying, per Wilson: "Karim is very happy at Real Madrid, and he will be a Real Madrid player by the end of this transfer window, 1,000 per cent. Karim is not looking to move anywhere this summer."

Zhong Zhi/Getty Images

The messages appear to be very mixed, but with the revolving door at the Bernabeu always spinning, a quick exit for Benzema cannot be discounted. Ozil signed for Arsenal on transfer-deadline day, and it is likely this potential deal could mirror the German's switch. 

Wenger appears ready to spend a chunk of his war chest on a marquee addition, with the Mail On Sunday's Malcolm Brown reporting on the manager's recent comments about his Premier League opposition and transfers:

"

Of course, there is pressure to keep up with them. All of them have spent more money but only one can win the title. It’s not just the consequence of the money they spend in how successful you are. That is why you have to keep your nerve and not buy just because the others buy—but buy because you have found a player that can really give you a plus.

It is difficult because there’s more money in football, more clubs with big resources, and less players available. The funds are there more than the players who could strengthen the squad. That is a big problem.

"

Benzema is the type of signing all Gunners supporters crave, but it is questionable whether the player will be announced as soon as Monday—if he does indeed join Arsenal.

At 27 years old, the striker is at his peak—making it unlikely Real will sacrifice him, but if Wenger flexes his undoubted financial muscle, he could pull off the biggest transfer of the summer. 

It is true Arsenal need an attacker who can deliver goals and assists at every level, with Olivier Giroud often falling short in the toughest games. 

Benzema is a striker who is built for the biggest stages, and with the likes of Ozil and Alexis Sanchez supporting him, Wenger could realistically bring the elusive Premier League trophy back to north London.