Tag Archives: Karim Benzema

Transfer Update: Karim Benzema

7 Replies

A Gooner?

The French striker has had an impressive season at Madrid, largely thanks to Higuain’s injury. He has netted 26 goals in 48 games, which has prompted the media to suggest that he may leave. Wenger has been quoted to say:

“Signing him does not seem impossible. He’s a player that I like. He’s intelligent in his movement; he is capable of combining well with others and making a difference, and of doing individual moves as well.”

He is likely to be priced at £20-30 million, which may put our manager off a potential bid. Then again, Wenger has stated his desire to bring big players to the club, in what he has declared as his most important transfer window at Arsenal.

With Real trying to sign Adebayor on a permanent deal, they will have plenty of attacking options, which may encourage Benzema, who will be searching for regular first-team opportunities, to consider his future. Furthermore, Real are unlikely to want to have too many high-wage players in their squad, so they may look to offload potential fringe players, such as Benzema.

No chance

However, Benzema has been quoted in Marca as stating his desire to stay at the Spanish club.

“I do not think that Real Madrid are thinking about selling me this summer. Mourinho has faith in me and wants to stick with me.”

Such comments will dent Wenger’s confidence about signing the 23 year old. With Bendtner and Arshavin set to leave the club, our boss would probably have liked to obtain the signature of a top striker, to partner the ever-increasingly influential Robin van Persie.

In addition, Wenger is unlikely to splash the cash on Benzema when other, more reasonably-priced options, are available. Straight Talking Gooners don’t believe that this transfer will materialise.

Related posts:

Transfer Talk: Tuesday 10th May

9 Replies

Karim Benzema

Some rumours have surfaced, once again, that Arsenal are interested in Benzema. Supposedly, Wenger had already put in a bid of €25 million, but Arsenal fans will know that this sounds unlike the Frenchman. Firstly, Wenger wouldn’t have already put a bid on the table, before the end of the season. Secondly, Wenger has rarely spent such large sums on money, although his most recent transfers have been relatively high. Eduardo (£7.5 million), Sagna (€9-11 million), Nasri (£12 million), Arshavin (£15 million) and Vermaelen (€10-12 million) are examples of such transfers.

Having scored 23 goals in 45 games this season, I highly doubt that Benzema will be allowed to leave. On the other hand, with Ronaldo, Higuain, Kaka, Di Maria, Ozil and possibly Adebayor (should they decide to sign him on a permanent deal) in the squad, Real Madrid have a fantastic set of attacking talent.

Likeliness Rating: 1.5/5

Christopher Samba

Despite signing a new contract until 2015, the strong CB may reconsider his future in the summer. I don’t need to point out that Arsenal lack a leader, always concede from set pieces, lack height blah blah blah… This all indicates that such a transfer is rather likely. Samba recently said the following,

“Everyone knows I am ambitious.”

Such a quote may show that he will be willing to force through a transfer to Arsenal. As Blackburn sit only 3 points off relegation, demotion to the Championship is possible. Should this happen, I reckon Samba’s potential move to the Gunners would be even more likely. Furthermore, the 27 year-old came out with this quote last week,

“I think a move to Arsenal was very close in January but that is life. You have to continue.”

What?! Why didn’t Wenger take that opportunity?! The manager better follow through with his wishes and buy the defender in the next few months.

Likeliness Rating: 4/5

Pepe Reina

With Liverpool’s recent resurgence and Szczesny’s rise to number 1, this particular transfer rumour is looking increasingly unlikely. However, Liverpool have now failed to get Champions League football for two years running, which may encourage Reina to seek an opportunity to play in that competition.

Arsenal’s goalkeeping crisis has been well-documented, but it seems to have been reduced somewhat in recent months. On the other hand, aerial threats from teams such as Bolton and Stoke may have been reduced by a more well organised defence, which is often controlled by the keeper. Ever since Reina shoved a Barca shirt on Fabregas, I haven’t had much reason to like him. All in all, I hope Wenger doesn’t make the transfer – the Spaniard is also bound to come with a hefty price tag.

Likeliness Rating: 0.5/5

Related posts:

Transfer Talk: Thursday 16th December

Leave a reply

With just over 2 weeks left until the January transfer window opens, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to keep you up to date with the latest transfer speculation regarding Arsenal Football Club. There are bound to be a few changes in January; Arsène Wenger needs to buy a few players to strengthen his squad, and I am sure there are one or two players who will be leaving the club.

Sources suggest that Per Mertesacker is looking for a move away from Werder Bremen

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing the 26 year old German international. Long-term injury to Thomas Vermaelen has been a massive blow to the squad this season and our defensive frailties are really starting to show. I think Wenger may see this as the opportunity to sign another quality centre-back who can help to shore up our defense.

Likeliness rating 3/5


Real Madrid are considering making an offer for Gaël Clichy with a deal which would see Karim Benzema head for the Emirates

Clichy has not had the best start to the 2010/11 season. His performances have not been as strong as we have seen in previous seasons. Wenger kept hold of him in the Summer, despite interest from Barcelona, and I just can’t see Clichy going anywhere in January. He and Fabregas are the only two remaining players of the Invincibles, who went the entire 03/04 league campaign undefeated.

If reports suggesting that Bendtner, who has had a lack of first-team opportunities this season, may be looking for a move away from the club Wenger will need to add another striker to the squad. Benzema suits Wengers style of play perfectly. Lets not forget that he is also young and French.

Likeliness rating: 2/5


Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse wants a move to Arsenal

Cisse is joint top scorer in the Bundesliga this season and many have suggested that he is looking for a move to a club which can guarantee him Champions League football. A source close to the player said “There’s no mistaking he’s very happy at Freiburg and he’s under contract until 2014, but Arsenal certainly interests him.” The Senegalese international was previously linked with Fulham, but the player is adamant that should he move it would be in search of Champions League. “Fulham is not an option. All respect to the club, regardless of whether they can afford him, he wouldn’t want to go.”

I don’t know much about this player, but I’m sure that Wenger knows a lot more about him than I do!

Likeliness rating 2/5


Manuel Almunia has been informed that he can leave Arsenal

Having sustained an elbow injury during the defeat to West Brom, Almunia has hardly featured this season. He has also seen Lukasz Fabianski and most recently Wojciech Szczesny put in strong performances and it is thought that Almunia is no longer needed. Malaga and Atletico Madrid are interested in signing him for a fee of around £1.5 million. Rather than making further moves to secure the services of Shay Given or Mark Schwarzer, I think Wenger will let Fabianski, Szczesny and Mannone fight it out for a place in the starting line-up.

Likeliness rating 4/5


Roma consider £5 million bid for Emmanuel Eboué

Eboué, who has become a fan favorite at the Emirates, has a contract which ends in the Summer and there are no signs that he is going to sign a contract extension. Wenger may want to cash-in on the right-back rather than let him leave on a free at the end of the season, but I think that Eboué will sign a new contract after the new year. He’d be stupid not to.

Since he was subbed off against Wigan in December 2008 after the crowd reacted badly to his poor performance, his form has picked up dramatically. Although he has a completely different playing style to that of Bacary Sagna, he is always strong defensively and has consistently gave a solid performance in the 09/10 season.

Likeliness rating 2/5

Related posts: