Arsenal Transfer News: Karim Benzema, Isco, Arda Turan Sounded Out, Top Rumours

Arsenal reportedly have bold plans to reshape their attacking options this summer, with Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Isco, as well as Barcelona’s Arda Turan, said to be on the club’s radar.

That’s according to Fichajes.net (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star), who suggest manager Arsene Wenger "will sign at least one star from La Liga this summer."

Wood added that the trio have been "sounded out" as the Arsenal boss evaluates how to build a title-winning squad for next season.

Benzema is a player who has long been linked with a move to the Gunners, as Wood notes. The Real Madrid striker is one of the finest forwards in Europe, capable of linking the play dropping deep, holding off opposition defenders and making space for others with continued selfless runs in behind.

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But the reason why so many Arsenal supporters have wanted the France international at the club for so long is because of his goalscoring.

As these statistics from WhoScored.com prove, Benzema is currently one of the most lethal finishers in the game:

While Arsenal are in possession of a lot of players who could load the goalscoring bullets for Benzema if he did join, few would deny the chance to sign Isco.

The playmaker is an extraordinary natural talent and someone who, while being small in stature, would thrive in the Premier League due his wonderful grip on the technical side of the game.

However, according to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has been “shocked” with the poor attitude of the player.

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Still, with the right guidance and a prolonged, important role in the side, the Spain international could be a substantial asset for any club. Earlier this year, Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe summed up exactly what he likes to see from Isco:

Turan is not too dissimilar in playing style to Isco, although the Turkey international is someone who would have a greater appetite to get involved in the physical side of the English game.

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He’s exactly the kind of attacker Arsenal could do with. Alexis Sanchez, who brings bite and brilliance to the final third for the Gunners, has provided the XI with a multifaceted edge going forward since arriving from Barcelona; if Turan was to follow the same path, you suspect he’d have a similar effect.

But having only signed for Barcelona last summer and made his debut for the club in January due to the Blaugrana’s transfer ban, it seems unlikely that the Liga side will cash in.

As uMAXit Football relay here, previously Turan revealed he wouldn’t be too keen on making a move to the Emirates Stadium either:

Here's a look at what he could potentially offer:

Aside from these links, the Gunners have also been touted as potential suitors for Roman Neustadter, whose contract is up with FC Schalke at the end of the campaign.

According to the Daily Express (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star), the Bundesliga side are set to lose the versatile 28-year-old, who can operate in both defence and in midfield, with both Arsenal and their north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, linked with a swoop. On a free transfer, this would be a coup for either of these two capital clubs.

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Of all the players mentioned, Benzema will no doubt be the one Arsenal supporters would love to see at the club the most. The centre-forward conundrum in this side is one which so many have encouraged the Gunners to find a solution for for such a long time, and the Frenchman would be a stellar acquisition.

But the problem for Arsenal in the case of this deal is convincing Real Madrid to cash in. Benzema, after all, is the only natural No. 9 on the club’s books. It means they’d have to bring at least another couple of strikers into the Santiago Bernabeu before they ponder selling.