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Arsenal reject three signings: Wenger turns to last summer’s top target instead
ARSENAL are out of the race to sign three available strikers this summer and will instead push once again to land Karim Benzema, according to reports.
Arsenal could reportedly go back in for Karim Benzema this summer
The Gunners have bene linked with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gonzalo Higuain and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who are all expected to move clubs at the end of the season.
But a report in the Mail on Sunday claims that manager Arsene Wenger will not push for any of these players.
And that decision is mainly down to money.
According to the claims, Arsenal’s interest in Aubameyang ended as soon as they heard Borussia Dortmund wanted £70million for their star man.
That, according to the claims, leaves Wenger back at square one in chasing Benzema, who Arsenal tried and failed to sign last summer.
The France international could leave Real if manager Zinedine Zidane finds an adequate replacement, with Aubameyang and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski top of his wish list.
Arsenal were quoted over £40m to sign Benzema last summer but ended that transfer window with just one acquisition - Chelsea’s goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Madrid's Zidane says Benzema disappointed by France omission
Wenger is understood to be keen on adding to his squad before the start of next term after signing just two first-team outfield players over the past three transfer windows.
However, Benzema’s move could be jeopardised by an ongoing court case in which he is accused of colluding with a gang to blackmail France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema has already been suspended from Didier Deschamps’ Euro 2016 squad. He denies the allegations made to him.