FA Cup holders Arsenal are planning to ramp up their efforts to sign Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, according to reports in Spain.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sanctioned the sale of German striker Lukas Podolski to Turkish side Galatassaray and is now expected to step up his efforts to take the French striker from the Santiago Bernabeu to the Emirates Stadium.
Spanish website fichajes.net suggests Arsenal will offer 23 million euros for the 27-year-old, who scored 22 goals for Los Blancos last season. But the 2014 and 2015 FA Cup winners face competition from Manchester United, who are looking to replaced Javier Hernandez, Radamel Falcao and possibly Robin van Persie.
Wenger has been a fan of Benzema for many years and has chased him on a number of occasions, even prior to his move from Lyon to Madrid in 2009. But the France international has always been a favourite of president Florentino Perez, who has been reluctant to sell whenever approached.
With new boss Rafa Benitez in place, Real could be about to undergo a summer transformation in their bid to get back on the trophy trail this season having watched Barcelona complete a clean sweep last season.
Los Blancos are in the market for a goalkeeper, most likely David de Gea, a defender, a midfielder and a forward.
