Yahoo Sport 
Arsenal step up their bid for £40m-rated Benzema
Real Madrid striker could be on his way to London as Gunners boss looks to snap up a big name forward
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today refused to rule out signing Karim Benzema from Real Madrid - or another high-profile striker.
The Gunners have £40m to spend to bolster their strikeforce of Olivier Groud, Danny Wellbeck and Theo Walcott.
Benzema penned a five-year deal with Real Madrid last summer but new boss Rafa Benitez coud make changes - and Wenger is ready to step his long-time pursuit of the France forward.
Wenger said: “Benzema is not one that is happening at the moment but if I can find an exceptional player to strengthen the squad I will do it.
“We don’t rule out another signing and we don’t guarantee that we will buy. I am happy with the squad we have but it depends what is in the market.
“It’s not easy at the moment because many clubs are out there looking to buy and the number of players who can strengthen the big teams in Europe is very restricted.”
Benzema, 27, has scored 133 goals from 281 appearances for Real Madrid since signing for £30m from Lyon in 2009.
