Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners To Make £43 Million Karim Benzema Bid

Metro. In the summer window, Arsene Wenger's side shelled out £42.5 million for Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, and they are set to blow that out of the water by capturing former teammate Benzema, say reports. According to the Metro, respected Fifa agent Francois Gallardo dropped a heavy hint that the striker could be on his way to Emirates Stadium for £43 million in January. "A very important Premier League club is after Karim," Gallardo is reported to have told Le Sport 10.

"This club wants the transfer to happen this winter, but if this is not possible, then next summer at the latest. "The offer will be around ‚50 million [£43 million]."

Though Gallardo stopped short of specifically mentioning the unknown suitor, Arsenal are known to be big admirers of Benzema, and tried to lure the Frenchman from the Bernabeu over the summer. This renewed link with the attacker also comes a matter of days after Wenger promised to continue splashing the cash following the big money arrival of Ozil. And, with forward Lukas Podolski ruled out until the New Year, a new striker is believed to be one of Wenger's biggest priorities when the transfer window reopens in January. Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League having gone unbeaten in the topflight since defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season on August 17.