Karim Benzema’s agent has sent a clear message to Arsenal about the veteran striker’s immediate future.
The transfer window has been open for a couple of weeks now, but despite all the rumors and speculation, Arsenal have failed to get a deal done for a new striker.
Whether it’s because Arsenal fear the rules on fair financial terms for players, or because they simply can’t get the players they want – Mikel Arteta doesn’t currently have a striker who can score 20 goals a season.
This is why there have been startling reports in the media that Arsenal could bring Benzema back to European football, after it came out a few weeks ago that he was not happy in Saudi Arabia.
Unfortunately for all parties involved, it seems almost certain that Benzema will be forced to stay where he is for now, with L’Equipe reporting that the former Ballon d’Or winner will “stay 100% with Al-Ittihad”.
There has been a lot of talk about Benzema possibly signing for Arsenal – and even if Benzema was better than what the club has now, it would just be a waste of money.
He’s not a long-term signing – he’s no longer a man who can score 20-30 goals a season, which is why Madrid allowed him to leave the club, so it wouldn’t make sense for the board to actually do a deal.
And as for the Financial Fair Play rules – all clubs have to be careful, so they don’t spend big money either.