Arsenal could be interested in signing Karim Benzema in the January transfer window to plug a gap until the summer.

•  Arsenal and Chelsea are considering a loan move for Karim Benzema for the remainder of the season.
•  Premier League sides may negotiate a deal where they only contribute a small percentage of Benzema’s wages.
•  Arsenal are also looking to offload current players such as Cedric Soares, Mohamed Elneny, and Marquinhos to fund potential incoming transfers.

Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema during the January transfer window, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now provided an exclusive update to GIVEMESPORT on the current state of play.

Benzema opted to make the move to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window to take advantage of the riches on offer in the Middle East. It’s understood that the French forward signed a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad and would earn almost £200m per season, which breaks down to around £6 a second.

Naturally, with Benzema stepping down to a lower standard of league, the former Real Madrid man has been scoring goals on the regular since his move in the summer transfer window. However, there are reports that Benzema is having a few issues off the pitch and could now make a shock move back to Europe, with a few sides in the Premier League considering the veteran striker.

Benzema linked with Premier League move

It might seem like everything is rosy for Benzema, who is earning a lot of money and scoring goals with ease in Saudi Arabia. However, according to Spanish outlet MARCA, Benzema failed to show up to a presentation ahead of a training camp and has now been left out of the tour completely. Manager Marcelo Gallardo’s side return to action in February and it now remains to be seen whether Benzema will be a part of that squad going forward.

Now, according to TEAMtalk, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the sides who are considering a loan move for Benzema for the remainder of the season. Premier League sides are unlikely to be able to afford the wages of the 36-year-old, but if they can negotiate a deal where they are only contributing a small percentage, it could be a smart move for either club.

Italian journalist Romano recently told GIVEMESPORT that Arsenal would like to enter the market for a new centre-forward in the winter window. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have struggled to find consistency so far this season and Mikel Arteta might be hoping to find a top-level striker to help the Gunners mount a serious charge for the Premier League title. Benzema certainly isn’t the only player who might have a slight regret about making the move to Saudi Arabia, with Jordan Henderson willing to defer his wages to force through a switch to Ajax.