Real Madrid‘s Karim Benzema was not the first striker to have his name etched on the Arsenal transfer wish list this summer; rather the Gunners had their sights set on Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich superstars.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger, the Gunners manager, made an enquiry to Guardiola over the availability of Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski, with the Frenchman willing to pay £50million for either striker.
However, Arsenal backed out of the race after the Bundesliga giants insisted that neither player would be allowed to leave the Allianz Arena in this summer’s transfer window. With both forwards on long-term contracts, the Gunners opted not to press the matter any further.
It was this, the British newspaper report, that caused the north London heavyweights to turn their attention to Real Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema.
Reports had previously stated that Lewandowski was a backup target to Benzema; yet it seems that it was in fact the other way around.
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Paris Saint-Germain‘s Edinson Cavani and Napoli‘s Gonzalo Higuain have also been considered by Arsenal.
It has been claimed that Wenger will table an offer for Cavani’s signature within the next few days.
All signs are therefore suggesting that Wenger is desperate to strengthen his attack before the close of the window, and a blockbuster arrival in the English capital should not be ruled out.