Reports: Arsenal set to make £36 million bid for Real Madrid star

What's the story?

Premier League club Arsenal have made a £36 million bid for Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema according to English media outlet Daily Star (via Don Balon).

The Gunners are on the lookout for a replacement for their Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez, who is set to join rivals Manchester City, and manager Arsene Wenger has identified Benzema as a suitable option.

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Arsenal could be losing one of their most valuable stars, Sanchez, as the player has not renewed his contract that is about to expire next summer. The former Barcelona star has made up his mind on leaving the London based club.

Arsenal were ready to risk losing the 29-year-old for free next summer, but the player's poor attitude could lead the club to sell him on cheap this January. Reports even claim that the Arsene Wenger-managed side is set to sell him for as cheap as £35 million, with Manchester City being the primary suitors for the player.

The heart of the matter

Arsenal believe that Benzema is the right replacement for Sanchez, but reports from Spain claim that Wenger is not willing to pay more than £36 million for the Frenchman. Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid, on the other hand, is ready to sell their 30-year-old striker, but think the Gunners' offer for the player is way below their expectations.

However, Benzema has lost the trust of Los Blancos due to his inconsistent form and is set to be shown the door in the summer of 2018.

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Author's take

Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Benzema, but the 30-year-old might not be the right replacement for Sanchez. The Real Madrid player is a proper number nine, while the Chilean is a versatile player who is better when playing behind the striker.