Arsenal transfers: Real Madrid open to selling Karim Benzema, says expert

Real Madrid will sell Arsenal target Karim Benzema if the striker asks to leave The Bernabeu, according to Spanish football expert Graham Hunter.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a £29m move for the France international in recent week amid reports manager Rafael Benitez is open to selling to the Madrid forward.

The 10-time European champions have been left frustrated in their attempts to lure Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea to the Spanish capital.

And La Liga expert Hunter claimed Los Blancos would be willing to sell Benzema in order to help fund a fresh bid for Spain goalkeeper De Gea in the summer transfer window.

“Arsenal have the money and Real Madrid need the money,” Hunter told talkSPORT.

“They are 500million euros in global debt, they are trying to buy David De Gea and won’t go the extra mile to get him off Manchester United because of the cash, so they need the money. And because Rafa Benitez will play 4-2-3-1 there is one less place for an attacking player than there was last season.

“It is a doable deal, but it won’t happen unless Benzema says to Real Madrid: ‘I want to go to Arsenal’.”
The former Lyon striker scored 15 goals in 29 La Liga appearances for Los Blancos last season.

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The 27-year-old striker has won La Liga, the Champions League and three Copa del Rey titles during a six-year stay in the Spanish capital.