French goal ace may not be heading to the Emirates after all.
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Arsenal’s proposed January move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been rocked by the news that the player may no longer be available for transfer, the Daily Star reports.
The Gunners had been widely reported to be planning a move for the France international in a bid to boost their threadbare strike force, which at the moment consists of just Olivier Giroud and the unfancied Nicklas Bendtner.
Benzema had been out of form at the Bernabeu during the early stages of the season and Madrid chiefs had been strongly considering letting him go to reinvest the money on a player more capable of banging in the goals.
However, Benzema has now seen his star rise again in the Spanish capital with a good recent run in front of the net and the club are now believed to be reluctant to let him go.
The 25-year-old was in inspired form against Real Sociedad this weekend, bagging one and helping Cristiano Ronaldo to a hat trick in a 5-1 victory. He was then given a standing ovation when he was subbed off by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The news will come as most welcome to Liverpool, though, as Real had been eyeing a move for Luis Suarez should they decide to move Benzema on.