11 months ago
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Emmanuel Petit has urged former club Arsenal to avoid a move for Karim Benzema this month, not convinced the former Real Madrid star would be a success in the Premier League.
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Benzema ended his 14-year stay in the Spanish capital last summer, joining many of the game’s high-profile names in moving to the Saudi Pro League where he signed a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad.
But just six months on, reports suggest the striker is now eager to return to Europe.
Manchester United have been credited with interest in the former France international but they are not alone in needing reinforcements up front this month.
Arsenal are also in the market for a striker, with their current options of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah scoring just eight league goals between them this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also the lowest goal scorers among the top five sides in the Premier League with their lack of firepower viewed as a major hindrance in their bid to challenge Manchester City for the title.
Arsenal are interested in Brentford star Ivan Toney but a huge £100million asking price presents a major stumbling block.
While Benzema would unlikely command a huge fee, 36-year-old is among the best paid best players in the world, with the deal he signed at Al-Ittihad last summer thought to be worth £85m a year.
In addition to the cost of such a deal, former Gunners midfielder Petit is not convinced Benzema would truly want such a demanding challenge in a new league at this stage of his career after years of success at Real.
‘What’s the price for Benzema? Do you have any idea how much Benzema will be earning in Saudi? I don’t think any English club will be able to offer him the same amount of money,’ Compare.bet.
‘It’s Benzema’s choice if he comes back but after winning everything with Real Madrid and being 34-years-old, I don’t think he will want to come to the Premier League.
‘It’s so physical, it’s so mentally hard, it’s not La Liga, with all the respect for him, he played for probably the biggest club in the world with great success, but it’s not the Premier League.
‘I’m not confident Arsenal should go to Benzema, they should go for someone else.’
MORE : Arsenal and Chelsea target Ivan Toney makes U-turn with January transfer admission
MORE : William Gallas says Arsenal are missing ‘nasty’ former player to help Declan Rice
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