Arsenal's unexpected transfer chance: World-class striker opens door to summer deal

Robin Bairner

• 6 Apr 2024 10:15 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal were one of a number of clubs linked with a January transfer move for unsettled Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema.

The Gunners were arguably closest to landing the Ballon d’Or winner, who made it abundantly clear that he was not happy at life at his new Saudi Pro League club after making a free transfer from Real Madrid last summer.

Arsenal did not ultimately sign a forward, and though they are prioritising a No.9 to arrive in the summer, their targets promise to be both difficult to land and expensive.

READ MORE: 10 players who could join Arsenal this summer

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, for example, is expected to depart for his release clause of €100 million - and the Sweden international has no pedigree of note at the top level.

Benzema, though 36, has a wealth of experience and would offer a valuable stopgap if Mikel Arteta wanted to go down the route of delaying his decision for a year.

And it appears that Benzema would be open to hearing any proposal Arsenal made to him.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

Speaking to the media, the former Real Madrid and Lyon hitman did not play down the prospect of leaving in the summer.

“We will see. For me the most important thing is being here for the moment... let's see what happens in the future. There are a lot of stories every day. Let's see,” Benzema said.

Is Benzema a faded force?

Benzema has attracted criticism in Saudi Arabia for his approach to the game and an alleged lack of professionalism, which have been reflected in his performances.

He has defended himself from this criticism, stating: “I'm not the same Benzema of Real Madrid because it's not the same game, the same players...

"I need help on the pitch, I need a lot of things. I can't win games alone.”

Data analytics experts SciSports indicate that there has been a sharp decline in his level over the course of the last six months.

This suggests that he would be behind even Eddie Nketiah in the Arsenal pecking order, which clearly is not the type of player that Arteta is after.

But there is the temptation to believe that Benzema can regain the level that saw him win the Ballon d’Or only 18 months ago. It would be a huge gamble, though.