Arsenal’s chances finding a world-class striker seem to be getting slimmer by the day, so it hasn’t taken long for the Karim Benzema links to pop up in English media.
The French international has been hotly tipped with a move to the Gunners year after year, with last season looking the closest to Arsene Wenger getting his man.
However, the Frenchman performed a U-turn and signed a contract extension with Champions League winners Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals in 36 appearances last season.
Alvaro Morata is heading back to the Galacticos to challenge Benzema for the centre forward role, and reports have suggest Madrid are ready to cash in on some of their stars.
Cue the gossip articles linking him to the Emirates Stadium, but despite the added competition and expectation to steal the La Liga crown from rivals Barcelona, it appears something drastic would have to happen in order for the 28-year-old to reconsider his future.
Talking to the Daily Cannon, French journalist Sylvain Jamet has put to bed any chance of Benzema exiting the Bernabeau this summer, no matter what price gets offered.
There’s no chance of Benzema leaving.
He has a really close ally in Zinedine Zidane, so unless Zidane gets sacked, Benzema will be going nowhere.
So it seems there is some loyalty in football even today, with the connections to the French legend being too much to wave goodbye to even if he fancied a move away from Spanish football.
Having taken over from Rafa Benitez, former Madrid man Zidane will now stay on as manager following their impressive end to the campaign which saw Madrid rivals Athletico beaten in the Champions League final.
Real Madrid are reportedly battling Manchester United for the signing of Paul Pogba, and Zidane has his eyes on Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandoski.
Arsenal on the other hand should prepare themselves in lowering standards by making an intelligent bid for top-level talent capable of taking on Olivier Giroud for the number 1 spot.
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