Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners To Sign Karim Benzema & Angel Di Maria?

BBC. The Gunners are prepared to pay £40 million for French striker Benzema, after manager Arsene Wenger missed out on his ex-teammate Gonzalo Higuain, who joined Napoli, as well as Liverpool's Luis Suarez. Wenger also wants Argentina winger Di Maria as well, and is understood to be in the market for a goalkeeper and a defender. This will come as positive news for long-suffering Arsenal fans, who were lifted yesterday after the Gunners brushed aside Fenderbahce with a 3-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. Wenger has been criticised this summer for not spending money with his only signing to date being Yaya Sanogo on a free from Auxerre. But it is thought the French manager could spend close to £100 million by the end of the transfer window on September 2. Wenger also revealed for the first time that his pursuit of Suarez is over this summer. "Absolutely no chance of that," Wenger said of the chances of the Uruguayan arriving at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have also had a £10 million bid for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye rejected. But Wenger, with words that will come as music to the ears of Arsenal fans, suggested the final 12 days of the transfer window would be busy.

"Quality wise we do not need, but numbers wise we are short. "We lost Arteta and Diaby. We are without three international midfielders. We will try and bring one in but we are working on that. What you have to understand is that there is still a long way to go. "The transfer market really starts now, a lot of activity will happen between now and 2 September. We have 12 days. A lot will happen. It starts now."