Arsenal transfer news: Arsenal have £48m Benzema bid accepted by Real Madrid
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/08/2015 at 16:07 GMT
Arsenal have reportedly had a £48m bid for Karim Benzema accepted by Real Madrid, according to Rodney Marsh
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (L) vies for the ball with Manchester City's Jason Denayer (R) the International Champions Cup Australia football match between English Premier League team Manchester City and Spanish side Real Madrid in Melbourne on July 24, 2
Image credit: AFP
The former QPR man told talkSPORT: "I had a phone call from a mate of mine, and he’s been right on many things, and he said that he believes Real Madrid have accepted a bid somewhere in the region of £48million for Benzema from Arsenal.
In the past this guy has always been right, he’s never been wrong yet, so we’ll have to wait and see.” Seems legit.
OUR VIEW
A story based on quotes from Rodney Marsh's mate should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the rumours are ramping up that Arsenal are on the cusp of this very special transfer.
Who knows, maybe Rodney's mate is Arsene Wenger.
August 20
Former Norwegian international Jan Aage Fjortoft understands that the only hitch in a potential deal is Wenger’s reluctance to push-on with the transfer.
However, a handful of reports on Thursday suggested Arsenal had tabled a £48 million bid – although the source was an unnamed friend of former player Rodney Marsh.
"I had a phone call from a mate of mine, and he’s been right on many things, and he said that he believes Real Madrid have accepted a bid somewhere in the region of £48million for Benzema from Arsenal," Marsh told talkSPORT.
"In the past this guy has always been right, he’s never been wrong yet, so we’ll have to wait and see."
Arsenal drew a blank in their opening Premier League clash against West Ham at the Emirates, although Olivier Giroud scored a wonderful scissor kick in the 2-1 weekend win over Crystal Palace.
OUR VIEW
The question is a familiar one: will Arsenal sign a world-class striker?
Benzema fits this bracket and the opportunity to snag a leading forward doesn't come around all that often. If he’s available – and the suggestion is that he is – then Arsenal have to seriously consider a deal. The touted figure of £48 million seems extreme, but the rewards could be huge: a first Premier League title since 2003/04.
For all the hype surrounding Arsenal this season, all they’ve done is sign a goalkeeper – and even Petr Cech will take some time adjusting to a new defence. They possess a hugely talented midfield, perhaps the league’s finest, so why not gift them a striker who is proven at putting away chances, rather than get to the season’s end and wonder what might have been?
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AUGUST 19
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is willing to sell Karim Benzema is according to the Daily Star.
The Madrid club reportedly rebuffed a £45 million bid from the Gunners last week but will listen to offers of £50 million the report adds.
The Metro adds that Real Madrid have, in fact, accepted a bid for the player.
The France striker is said to be keen on a move to London which could push the move through.
OUR VIEW
It looks like these reports stem from an interview given to an American radio station by Rodney Marsh so should be treated with caution.
Furthermore, Perez signed Benzema at the start of his second stint as club president so the likelihood of him sanctioning his sale is remote, as, in effect, it is an admission that one of his marquee signings was a failure.
Additionally, Benzema is key to manager Rafa Benitez’s side and the club have no ready-made replacement should the France international leave.
This deal makes little sense at all.
AUGUST 18
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Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani (L), Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore (R) celebrate after scoring a goal against Lille during their French Ligue 1 soccer match at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, April 25, 2015. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Image credit: Reuters
Gunners on Cavani trail, but will they go for Lavezzi?
Arsenal could yet make an astonishing double raid on Paris Saint-Germain to sign Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi from the French champions before the window slams shut.
Uruguay's Cavani is viewed as a forward who could be brought in for around £35m with the pursuit of France striker Karim Benzema from Real Madrid unlikely to materialise over the next fortnight.
The possible signing of Lavezzi would be intriguing with the Mirror claiming this morning that Argentina winger Lavezzi has been offered to Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham United.
Arsenal have also been linked with a swoop for defensive midfielder Marco Verratti of PSG, but that does not look likely this summer.
A £45m spend could see Cavani and Lavezzi arrive at the Emirates Stadium before the close of play in this window.
OUR VIEW
Lavezzi is out of the picture at PSG and certainly seems to possess the skills to bring plenty of class to the Premier League. Lavezzi would apparently be available for £8.5m and is on £95,000-a-week at PSG. It would be a major coup for Arsenal and boost to their title prospects if they could parade former Napoli companions Cavani and Lavezzi at the Emirates before the end of August.
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Marco Verratti (Italie)
Image credit: AFP
August 17
Marco Verratti has issued a come-and-get me plea to the Premier League with Arsenal apparently interested in the Paris Saint-Germain and Italy midfielder.
The £22m-rated Verratti is also flattered by Barcelona's apparent interest in him, but will consider a move to the Premier League if the opportunity presents itself.
"You never know what the future brings. I am fine where I am now and I am not thinking about a transfer. I will consider my options the day I no longer feel good at PSG or when the club wants to sell me but England, Spain and Italy are all options.
"What matters most is the project."
OUR VIEW
Arsenal are not short of money, and may be tempted to go for Verratti if PSG are willing to sell. The Ligue 1 champions are apparenly keen to sell a few players, and Verratti would add steel to the Arsenal midfield having turned out 43 times for PSG last season.
August 16
Arsenal are set to abandon their pursuit of Karim Benzema and turn their attention to Edinson Cavani, who they hope to sign for £35.5m.
Reports in Spain suggest Arsenal have become frustrated that a deal for Benzema hasn’t happened yet and with Madrid wanting a fee close to £40m, Fichajes say Arsenal see Cavani as a better value signing.
OUR VIEW
Benzema remains Arsenal's number one target and it's unlikely that Arsenal will give up the chase just yet - but the reality is that the Frenchman is highly unlikely to leave the Bernabeu this summer.
Cavani is a proven goalscorer and would be far from a bad option, especially at £35million. He does not see eye-to-eye with PSG boss Laurent Blanc and would be easier to prise away.
AUGUST 15
Arsenal's long-standing pursuit of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema might be about to reach a fruitful conclusion.
Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Emanuele Giulianelli claims Benzema will leave Real Madrid and that Arsenal are in pole position.
He adds that if Arsenal fail they will turn their attention to Borussia Dortmund speedster Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
OUR VIEW
Excuse us if we stifle a yawn at the latest instalment in the Benzema saga. We'll believe it when he moves. The namecheck of Aubameyang as an alternative is interesting - he is lightning quick and seemingly a classic Arsene Wenge signing. However, he is a very different player to Benzema and not perhaps the goalscorer they need.
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August 14
Arsene Wenger has claimed Arsenal are not interested in Grzegorz Krychowiak.
The Polish midfieder has been linked with Arsenal repeatedly this summer, but the Gunners boss stated in his press conference that he is not interested in the 25-year-old.
Wenger was asked directly about the player, and gave a direct answer: "No."
OUR VIEW
Krychowiak, as a big defensive midfielder, is the sort of player Arsenal have not bothered to recruit for years - much to the chagrin of many club fans. Indeed, they still wouldn't have that type of player in the squad if Francois Coquelin hadn't happened to turn out that way. It's probably fair to assume that Wenger's words - or rather, in this case, his single word - can be taken at face value.
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August 13
A report in Spain suggests that Arsenal are monitoring the availability of Olympiakos goalkeeper Roberto, but Gunners would presumably offload David Ospina before any deal could be done.
Spanish newspaper Marca claimed on Thursday that Arsenal have registered their interest in the 29-year-old Spaniard, with the Greek club responding that he is theirs if they pay his release clause (around £4.3m). With Petr Cech and David Ospina already on the books it would not seem as if Arsene Wenger desperately needs another goalkeeper, but then again he has already loaned out Emiliano Martinez and Wojciech Szczesny this season.
OUR VIEW
A deal from Arsenal's point of view would only make obvious sense if Ospina demanded to be sold before the end of the current transfer window - something that has been widely rumoured but yet to be confirmed (while the Colombian will not like the idea of being a back-up this season, he will nevertheless still get to play a fair few games across all Arsenal's competitions).
However, if Arsenal do end up needing another understudy for Petr Cech then Roberto would seem as good an option as any (especially for what is hardly an extortionate fee), as he has the experience and pedigree to come in if Cech is sidelined but perhaps won't be unsettled by sitting on the bench for large parts of the season. Nevertheless, it would seem to us that Wenger's clear preference will be to keep Ospina if he can.
August 12
Arsenal could move for Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak after sending a delegation to watch Tuesday's night Super Cup match with Barcelona, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Krychowiak apparently has a buy-out clause of £21.26m with Arsenal scouts impressed with what the Poland international could bring to the Emirates Stadium.
The Europa League winners lost 5-4 after extra-time to Barcelona in a pulsating contest, and Arsenal are unlikely to drop their interest with Arsene Wenger apparently keen to bring in a player to rival Francis Coquelin for a defensive midfield berth.
Krychowiak is under the same management umbrella as Joe Hart and Gareth Bale, and is apparently keen on moving to the Premier League.
Arsenal have so far made only one summer signing with Petr Cech touching down from Chelsea for £10m.
OUR VIEW
Krychowiak is the type of player who is happiest when winning the ball in midfield before supplying silkier players to show off their wares. He is a real workhorse and does most of his business in the defensive areas of the pitch. Does not provide a goal threat from deep, but that would not be his remit at the Emirate Stadium. Figured very highly in the stats for best tackler and header of the ball in Liga last season contributing to his side's third-place finish and Europa League success.
AUGUST 11
Arsenal are readying a surprise move for PSG striker Edinson Cavani, according to reports.
Arsene Wenger was yesterday reportedly readying a bid for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema but the Metro are now reporting that Arsenal have turned their attention to PSG’s Cavani.
Cavani, who scored 18 league goals last season, is said to be valued at £40m.
OUR VIEW
This move is less likely to go through than the highly move for Karim Benzema. The reason? Well, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract expires at the end of the 2015-16 season and, according to many reports, that will bring Ibrahimovic’s association with the Paris club to an end. Cavani is then therefore expected to become PSG’s ‘marquee player’. Therefore, it makes no logical sense that they would even consider the sale of a player they have earmarked to become the face of their club.
This rumour – like the Benzema one - appears to be born of Arsenal’s opening-weekend defeat to West Ham. Had Arsenal won they would not be splashed over the back pages.
AUGUST 11
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Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva tries to control the ball during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs RC Deportivo de la Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on February 14, 2015
Image credit: AFP
Arsenal are looking into a deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva, according to Spanish paper AS.
Silva moved to Madrid from Cruzeiro in January for a fee believed to be in the region of £10 million.
The Brazilian star spurned the advances of Arsenal to make the Bernabeu switch but is now said to be keen on a move to the Emirates after struggling for playing time in Madrid.
The Spanish daily adds that the move would be a permanent switch for the deep-lying midfielder.
OUR VIEW
Arsenal have purportedly been in the market for a holding midfielder for quite some time. Francis Coquelin has excelled as Arsenal’s chief holding player since his introduction to the role last season. However, if Arsenal are to be genuinely considered as title challengers then a move for Lucas may be prudent.
Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta have all played alongside Coquelin in a deep midfield two but could any of the aforementioned players fulfil his role were he to suffer injury or run into some poor form? Doubts persist.
Therefore a move for a player that would act as competition and cover for Coquelin, and one Arsenal have had previous interest in, makes absolute sense.
AUGUST 7
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Karim Benzema is facing a spell on the sidelines
Image credit: PA Sport
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema have been dealt a blow after the Frenchman was reportedly ruled out for three weeks.
Many perceive the Gunners to be light in attack ahead of the new season, with Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck expected to contest the lone frontman role next season.
Benzema would seem a natural replacement, although Real have given no intimation they are considering a sale.
Marca report that he is scheduled for a comeback against Real Betis on August 29 – just two days before the transfer window shuts.
That could make a transfer problematic, with a successful medical hinging on the 27-year-old's ability to recover in time.
OUR VIEW
While the latest injury could prove a stumbling block, it probably won’t derail any future transfer. The move instead continues to hinge on two things: Real’s willingness to sell and Arsenal’s willingness to buy. It’s that simple.
This deal seems unlikely though – we must remember, stubborn Arsenal are involved. And why would Real want to sell Benzema? He plays the striker’s role adeptly, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to flourish just behind him. No, this one is just paper talk.
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AUGUST 6
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Real Madrid's Russian midfielder Denis Cheryshev (R) and Inter's Croatians midfielder Mateo Kovacic vie for the ball during the International Champions Cup
Image credit: Eurosport
Reports in Spain claim that Arsene Wenger has told the Arsenal board to complete the signing of Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev.
The Reds are reported to have bid £14.1m but Arsenal are prepared to go higher, with the lure of Champions League football thought to be significant.
The Russian has never played a league game for Real, and has spent the last two seasons on loan in La Liga.
OUR VIEW
It is surely in Cheryshev's best interests to leave Real on a permanent basis, with no hope in sight of him breaking into the first-team. The Russian is capped at international level and is not short of skill and talent, so a move to a Champions League club like Arsenal would be an ideal move for him.
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AUGUST 5
An Italian football journalist has got excitement bubbling at the Emirates after declaring Arsenal were on the verge of signing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Emanuele Giulianelli claimed the Frenchman would fly in to London on Sunday night ahead of signing a four-year deal.
Arsenal are constantly linked with every available striker, so this latest report is of little surprise.
However, Arsene Wenger had previously intimated that his squad was already set for the new season - Sunday's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Charity Shield suggests he might be right.
OUR VIEW
Karim Benzema > Alexandre Lacazette. Target the Real Madrid man, then go for Lacazette if it all comes to nothing.
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AUGUST 4
Arsenal are closing on the signing of Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev, according to reports.
The 24-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2002, but failed to make an impression with the first team squad.
Cheryshev has spent loan spells at Sevilla and Villarreal in recent seasons.
The Russian international was called up to Fabio Capello’s provisional squad for the World Cup, but was omitted from the final list.
OUR VIEW
Unlikely. Has Cheryshev really done enough to merit a move to a leading Premier League club? It is possible for someone to play for Real Madrid and still be average - hence why they've not turned to him, except in pre-season this year.
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AUGUST 3
Arsene Wenger has landed another French youth prospect, according to reports, beating Chelsea to the punch in the process.
On Sunday, the Gunners defeated Chelsea to win the Community Shield, and now they’ve beaten their London rivals off the pitch as well.
According to reports from France, Arsenal have signed French teenager Bennacer, who was also a reported target of Chelsea.
The 17-year-old has rejected the chance to join the Blues, and instead signed a five-year-contract with the Gunners. He joined Arsenal after just one season playing for France’s Ligue 2 side, AC Arles-Avignon, where he made six appearances.
OUR VIEW
Beating a league rival to the signing of anyone is always good news for a club, but let's not overhype this one. Wenger has always held a strong position when it comes to recruiting young stars from France and for someone like Bennacer, the Emirates was always going to stand out as an appealing next destination. Furthermore, it could be a few years before he breaks through into the first team, if he ever does. At the very least however, he has more chance of doing so than he would have at Chelsea. After all, Vitesse Arnhem for three straight seasons isn't exactly a move in the right direction.
AUGUST 2
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Real Madrid's Denis Cheryshev scores their fourth goal against Manchester City
Image credit: Reuters
Arsenal are preparing a £14.9m bid to sign Real Madrid's out-of-favour winger Denis Cheryshev. The Russian international has courted the interest of Liverpool this summer also, but Arsene Wenger believes he can hijack any agreement between the two clubs. The Russian returned to the Bernabeu this summer after an impressive loan spell at Villarreal last year and has enjoyed a productive pre-season thus far. Spanish website Fichajes is reporting that Arsenal are hoping to tempt Real into cashing in with a bid in the region of £15million.
OUR VIEW
Cheryshev clearly has no future in Spain and Premier League clubs are unsurprisingly interested in bringing his talent to England. Liverpool were thought to be front-runners in the bidding but the lure of the Champions League with Arsenal could prove decisive.
AUGUST 1
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Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti (R) vies with Lyon's French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (L) during the French L1 football match Lyon (OL) vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on February 8, 2015, at the Gerland stadium in Lyon.
Image credit: AFP
Arsenal are hoping to bring free agent and France international Yoann Gourcuff to the Emirates, but face competition for the midfielder.
Gourcuff was released by Lyon at the end of last season after struggling with form and injury, but the 29 year-old is attracting interest from a host of European clubs.
BeIN Sport are reporting that the Gunners are up against Liverpool, Montpellier and Guingamp for the playmaker who is desperate to get his career back on track and find a new club before the start of the season next week.
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