Real Madrid Transfer News: Karim Benzema Rumoured to Be on Arsenal's Radar

Karim Benzema is back on Arsenal's radar ahead of a possible summer exit from Real Madrid, according to rumours from Spain.

The Gunners will express interest in the striker should he be allowed to end his nine-year tenure with Los Blancos, per Spanish source El Confidencial (h/t TalkSport.com). Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are also said to be particularly keen on the 30-year-old attacker.

TalkSport noted how the player, whose contract with Real is up in 2021, could finally leave the Spanish capital after a difficult campaign: "His strike rate this season is clearly his worst since he arrived at Madrid from Lyon back in 2009."

Despite those issues, Benzema has generally been a key figure for Real. His height, pace and technique have made him the perfect link player for prolific forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Last month, OptaJose detailed how often the pair have combined in Spain's top flight:

The same source acknowledged Benzema's landmark appearance for Los Blancos more recently:

Those numbers would be more than sufficient at most top clubs in Europe, but Real are always on the look out for bigger stars. The pattern could continue at centre-forward, with the Spanish giants linked with a potential summer move for Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, per AS (h/t MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer).

Lewandowski could cost as much as £132 million, according to Polish publication Przeglad Sportowy (h/t Anthony Chapman of The Sun). Such a cost will demand Real offload some marquee names to recoup funds.

Benzema makes sense as a high-profile casualty of the pursuit of Lewandowski, especially since it may be easy to sell him to Arsenal, at least on the surface.

TalkSport pointed out the "Gunners have been extensively linked with the France international for years but have never been able to prise him away from the Bernabeu."

Miguel Morenatti/Associated Press

A recent report from Diario Gol (h/t Jack Otway of the Daily Express) said Real want to offer Benzema and £25 million for Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, a player the north London club doesn't want to sell.

There's also the not-so small matter of the Gunners twice breaking their transfer record to sign strikers since last summer. Arsenal paid an initial £46.5 million for Alexandre Lacazette before shelling out £56 million on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The latter has enjoyed a prolific start since arriving from Dortmund in the January transfer window, scoring six goals and supplying an assist.

Aubameyang recently talked up his desire to play alongside Lacazette during an interview with Sky Sports News (h/t Zinny Boswell of Sky Sports).

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

With Aubameyang and Lacazette still in the infancy of their respective Arsenal careers, it's easy to believe manager Arsene Wenger will feel he no longer needs to pursue Benzema.

If so, Real will be forced to try and generate interest from elsewhere in one of their more consistent performers.