The BBC’s David Ornstein believes Arsenal are targeting a move for Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria as Arsene Wenger finally starts to respond to the fans qualms over the lack of transfer activity.
Last night’s 3-0 win over Fenerbahce has all but confirmed the Gunners place in the Champions League group stages and the North London club are prepared to spend big to secure the signature of the France forward and Argentina midfielder.
They are prepared to pay £40 million for the 25-year-old former Lyon striker and although a fee for di Maria is unknown; Wenger is very much interested in him.
Failed striker search
It has been a frustrating summer for Arsenal fans, with failed bid for Luis Suarez causing tempers to boil over after Saturday’s home defeat to Aston Villa.
20-year-old French striker Yaya Sanogo was signed from Auxerre but fans from the North London club crave a marque signing and Benzema might be that.
Wenger has always been a long-term admirer of the France international and is hoping Real will sell him to help fund their move for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale
John Cross expects signings
That is the view of John Cross, who expects Arsenal to go all out for a big signing between now and the end of the window on September 2nd.
He mentions how Real might have been reluctant to sell Benzema because they sold their only other established striker, Higuain, to Napoli but the Spanish giants feel that they can move Cristiano Ronaldo central to make him their main forward.
There is also an added feeling that youngster Alvaro Morata is ready to step up and perform this season, so it wouldn’t be such a crazy idea for Real Madrid to sell the French forward.
Guaita, Ozil and Kondogbia all targets
The same report in the Daily Mirror mentions another Real Madrid player; Mesut Ozil as a target for the Gunners but unlike the BBC article it fails to mention the interest in di Maria.
Two more La Liga players are attracting the eye of the North London club. Sevilla’s highly rated Geoffrey Kondogbia and Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita, both mentioned yesterday, they remain targets for the club.
Champions League qualification key
Overall it is a positive sign that Arsenal are once again going to try and sign someone big in this transfer window.
After failed attempts to sign numerous players, qualifying for the Champions League will hopefully be key to tempting these players to sign.
If Benzema could come to the Emirates it would make the frustrating summer us fans have had to endure all worth it.
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