Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Karim Benzema and Isco Rumours

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema insists he has never considered leaving the Bernabeu despite constant rumours linking him with a move Arsenal, but team-mate Isco is now reportedly on the Gunners' radar.

Throughout the recent summer transfer window, reports that Benzema was on the verge of a move to the Emirates Stadium, such as this from Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli (via the Daily Star's Colin Harvey), continuously circulated. 

A switch never materialised, though, and the 27-year-old Frenchman has claimed there was no truth in the rumours linking him to the north London club as he is happy at Real, per Telefoot (h/t Aaron Flanagan in the Mirror): "Not at all. I’m not going to keep on repeating myself. I play in the best team in the world. I continue to work every year and I’m happy where I am."

The purchase of Benzema would have addressed a significant issue in Arsene Wenger's side, namely the over-reliance on Olivier Giroud in the striking department.

However, they failed to bolster their attack during the summer. The defensive-midfield area was also left strengthened, per Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell:

One or both of these areas may have to be addressed in January, though reports are now circulating linking Isco with a 2016 move to the Gunners.

Alejandro Alcazar of Spanish outlet Sport noted that the 23-year-old Spaniard looks set for another season in the shadow of James Rodriguez and suggested that both Juventus and Manchester City are looking to prise Isco away from the Bernabeu.

Flanagan referenced Alcazar's report but indicated that Arsenal are also looking to go in for Isco in January and are prepared to go up against City in the battle to sign him.

In truth, while Isco is a special talent and would be an asset to any team, his signing would arguably be superfluous by Arsenal, who already have numerous quality attacking midfielders—see Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to name but three.

The Gunners are still in need of another genuine striker and a defensive midfielder, and even if they have a strong opening to the season, additions will still likely need to be made in January to see them through the entire campaign.