Soccer

Arsenal could yet make bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema

Gareth Bale expected to be given central attacking role alongside Ronaldo

Real Madrid are not looking to push Karim Benzema out of the door as they have done previously with other players. Photograph: Joe Castro/EPA
Real Madrid are not looking to push Karim Benzema out of the door as they have done previously with other players. Photograph: Joe Castro/EPA
David Hytner
Wed Aug 05 2015 - 23:03

Arsenal continue to monitor Karim Benzema's situation at Real Madrid and they have not ruled out making a bid for the striker towards the end of the transfer window, despite Rafael Bení

tez saying that he will remain at the Bernabéu.

Benzema is currently injured and he is not a part of the Real squad at the four-team Audi Cup in Munich. The 27-year-old hurt his thigh in training on Monday and there are doubts as to whether he will be fit for the start of the Spanish league season on August 23rd.

The French man's starting prospects under Benítez, though, are unclear, with the new Real manager having promised Gareth Bale a run in the team in a central striking position alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also injured and not at the Audi Cup.

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Effective role

Benítez started Bale alongside Jesé in a 4-4-2 formation in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, with the Wales forward scoring the second goal against his former club.

Afterwards, Bale made it clear that he considered the central role to be his favourite and most effective role.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has sought to cool the speculation regarding his interest in Benzema but he has said that he is ready to take advantage of any opportunity that might arise on the market, much as he did on deadline day in September 2013, when he signed Mesut Ozil from Real for £42.5 million.

Real are not looking to push Benzema out of the door as they have done previously with other players, including Ozil, and Benitez, when asked earlier in the week about the situation, said he thought “Benzema is going to stay with us.”

Real though could be swayed by a massive offer from Arsenal. It should be noted as well that Benzema always dreamed of playing for Real and would not consider a move away lightly.

Much will rest on whether Benzema starts Real’s two fixtures before the September 1st transfer deadline or whether he finds himself as the odd man out. Wenger has options up front, including Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck but Benzema would surely represent an upgrade. Guardian service