Arsenal hit major hurdle in bid to sign Real Madrid target

Arsenal have suffered a major knock back in their pursuit for a top-class striker as Karim Benzema has pledged his future to Real Madrid and does not look like leaving anytime soon, reports the Reliable Click. The Frenchman had been linked with a move to the North London club, especially since rumours have emerged that Luis Suarez could be headed to the Bernabeu.

prospect of a Suarez arrival at the club. ‘The media can say what they want. I have a contract’, the Frenchman said as he looked to rubbish rumours linking him with a departure. The player wants more than the remainder of his deal in Madrid though, going on to say, ‘If it depended on me, I would stay here forever’.

Those are not the words that Arsenal fans may have been hoping from the highly-rated striker, as they look for their club to bring in some attacking quality this summer. Last year, the Gunners looked almost goal-shy at times. Olivier Giroud was employed in an isolated role up-front for the majority of the season, and as soon as Theo Walcott suffered injury, Arsenal lacked pace and direction in their attacks. If they want to mount a more serious assault on the Premier League title next year, then they must invest in a striker or two.

The prospect of a sensational Luis Suarez transfer to ‘Los Blancos’ isn’t even enough to convince Benzema to leave, as he relishes the prospect of playing alongside the Uruguayan. When asked about Suarez’ potential arrival, Benzema assured, ‘I sleep well’ before insisting, ‘I have no particular pressure’. After the season that Suarez had at Liverpool, those words really do ooze confidence.

Finally, Benzema was keen to urge Madrid defender Raphael Varane to stay at the club. Varane had been linked to a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, but Benzema hopes that his compatriot will stay. ‘In one or two years, he will be the best centre defender in the world’, said the striker.