Reports: Arsenal contact Real Madrid regarding potential Benzema transfer

Karim Benzema could be set to leave Real Madrid this summer

Arsenal are interested in signing Karim Benzema and have reportedly contacted Real Madrid to confirm their interest, according to a report in Spanish daily El Confidencial. The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with Manchester United also showing interest in the striker.

Various reports have suggested that Arsenal made a bid of £31million for the 27-year-old, which was rejected by the Los Blancos. Arsene Wenger is an admirer of the French international and has previously been linked with a move for the forward and although he seems happy with his squad, the Arsenal boss has indicated that he would only sign players who could substantially improve the team.

Since his arrival from Lyon in 2009, Benzema has gone on to become one of the best strikers in the game. In the 2014/15 campaign, he made 29 appearances for the Los Blancos and was involved in 26 goals. Although reluctant to leave Madrid, he looks set to be excluded from the starting XI next season as Rafael Benitez tweaks his side to get the most out of Ronaldo and Bale, with both being mooted as potential candidates for a role in the centre.

This could open the door for the 12-time FA Cup champions Arsenal to try and swoop in for their long-term transfer target, with a £35million bid expected to be enough to take the striker to the Emirates.

Walcott: I enjoy playing for this club

Arsene Wenger has no dearth of options in his forward line, but has been looking to add another player who can score 15+ goals in a season. Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez are all options, while Theo Walcott has also been making a case for himself in the central position, after coming back from a long injury spell.

The England international doesn’t seem to have any issues with being deployed on the wings by his manager, although he has admitted his preferred role is as a central striker.

Speaking with Arsenal’s official website, Walcott discussed the flexibility of forward positions and how much he enjoys playing for the club, and was quoted as saying:

"In modern-day football the three up front tend to change around a lot. You see it with England and with Barcelona, so we have that sort of trust in each other knowing that everyone can do that sort of role. It's not a problem at all,”

"I like it anywhere. I enjoy playing for this club. It's well-documented where I want to play but there's a lot of competition in that front line. If I'm in a role then I have to do my best there, but it's another option for the manager. It's not a bad thought." added the England international when speaking to Arsenal’s official website.

Walcott has made 208 league appearances for Arsenal, scoring 50 goals. The speedster enters his 10th year with the club since signing from Southampton as a 16-year-old, and has a year left on his current deal.