Report: Benzema Could Lead Clearout of Real Madrid Veterans
Arsenal's chances of finally signing Karim Benzema have received a boost as reports claim a massive Real Madrid clearout could happen at the end of the season.
Don Balon has alleged that Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is eyeing a mass exodus of first-team stars as he looks to bring in a new superstar era in Spain's capital, with the likes of megastar Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema up for the chop.
If that claim is true, it could mean that Benzema's future at Santiago Bernabeu is in doubt again, and may lead to the Gunners swooping for a long-time target of Arsene Wenger's.
Benzema has consistently been touted as a future Arsenal player throughout his career with Real, but has never seen fit to leave his current club.
Whether Wenger still retains an interest in the France striker is up for debate, and it would be a surprise if Benzema headed to Emirates stadium in the future knowing full well that he wouldn't be first choice at his potential new club.
Club record signing Alexandre Lacazette currently holds the jersey for being Wenger's main marksman in north London, and another of Benzema's compatriots - Olivier Giroud - would also be on pushover in the pecking order.
If the latter was to leave Arsenal, however, Wenger would be in need of suitable cover for Lacazette and this would allow for Benzema to possibly trade sunnier climes in the Iberian peninsula for the Premier League.
The 29-year-old has come in for some flak in recent seasons from Real's fan-base as he struggles to find his best form.
Perez only recently came out in support of Benzema after he was criticised by Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, and the 70-year-old's comments would give an indication that he harbours no hopes of seeing Benzema put up for sale in the immediate future.
Benzema has netted 183 goals in 375 games for Real throughout his eight-year spell with the reigning La Liga champions.
