Arsenal Push for Benzema as Real Madrid Stand Firm on Striker’s Future
By BBC News Sport
Arsenal remain determined in their pursuit of French striker Karim Benzema, with the Premier League club reportedly tabling a €60 million bid to lure the Real Madrid forward to north London. Despite their strong interest, the Gunners face a major obstacle: Real Madrid have no intention of selling.
According to Spanish sports daily Marca, the 27-year-old striker of Algerian descent is not for sale, and club president Florentino Pérez remains committed to keeping him at the Santiago Bernabéu. Benzema, who has been a central figure in Madrid’s attack since joining from Lyon in 2009, is viewed as an integral part of the club’s plans.
Real Madrid’s newly appointed manager Rafael Benítez is said to have requested the signing of an additional striker to strengthen the squad’s depth. However, his proposal was firmly rejected by Pérez. The president continues to back the attacking trio of Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting that the club look internally to cover any potential absences. That means younger talents such as Jesé Rodríguez and Borja Mayoral could be promoted to more prominent roles if needed.
This stance sends a clear signal: Real Madrid are not prepared to entertain offers for Benzema, regardless of the financial incentives. Pérez’s confidence in the Benzema-Bale-Ronaldo trident appears unwavering, and the club is prioritising stability in attack over any major shake-ups this summer.
For Arsenal, the search for a world-class striker continues. Arsène Wenger, long known to admire Benzema, is reportedly keen to make a marquee signing to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. But with Real Madrid closing the door on any potential departure, Arsenal’s hopes of securing the Frenchman appear increasingly slim.
Unless there is a dramatic shift in Madrid’s transfer strategy, Benzema looks set to stay in Spain for at least another season.
