The Big One-
The Real Madrid striker was set to sign a new deal with the European Champions which would see his release clause become a staggering €900m. However, it seems that the former Lyon man has signed a new deal with the Los Blancos, with a clause of €1b instead, as confirmed by reports. The deal would mean that no club would be able to purchase Benzema unless they are willing to spend that kind of money to secure his services.
Karim Benzema has been long linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu with many potential European suitors ready to swoop up the French international. However, Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has claimed that Benzema is one of the key players at the club to lead Madrid’s front line.
One manager who has been long linked to Benzema is another countryman, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been a long admirer for the 29-year-old attacker. Benzema has been rumored with a switch to the Emirates almost every season but a deal has never taken place.
It was earlier reported that if Benzema would have signed the extension with the La Liga champions, it could ruin any small hope that the north-London club would have of bringing the former Lyon striker to the Emirates.
No club would be willing to pay such a fee in the near future, despite the crazy transfer prices in the most recent transfer markets.
Benzema has mainly been the first choice striker since his arrival at the club in 2009 and has also well established himself as the first choice attacker under compatriot Zinedine Zidane.
The signing of the new bumper deal with Madrid would come as a big blow to Wenger and the Gunners, who were keen on bringing in a French forward in the winter transfer window.
Wenger was constantly linked with AS Monaco striker Thomas Lemar, but a deal went sour with the French champions and Lemar remained at Monaco, despite many of their stars leaving the club in the summer transfer window.
At Madrid, Benzema has won two La Liga titles, two Copa Del Rey titles as well as three Champions League trophies. Benzema has scored a tally of 122 goals in 247 league appearances since arriving at the Bernabeu, and a new deal seems imminent.
What Next For Arsenal?
The Londoners are in need of an additional striker, after the signing of Lacazette from the Ligue 1 outfit has not really worked out well for Wenger and his team. Unlike Morata and Lukaku, the attacker has failed to make a solid start to the new campaign and is still struggling to leave a mark on the top flight of English football.
If things do not change in the days to follow and the French manager has to rely on the likes of Sanchez and Giroud once again to get the job done, then he might consider adding more options to his current squad in January.
However, one thing is certain now, that he will not be looking to sign Benzema, any time soon. Like our page for more updates and features.
