Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Gunners Plan £22m January Bid for French Striker

Arsenal are planning a £22m bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in January, according to the Daily Mirror.

Arsene Wenger is in the hunt for a striker in January as his current reliance on Olivier Giroud is not paying dividends. The same was evident in their 1-0 loss to Manchester United when the Frenchman was far from his best and Wenger had no one but Nicklas Bendtner to fall back on to provide the impetus up front. A move for Benzema will alleviate their problems in the attacking half and give Arsenal a different outlet to Giroud, who has been in brilliant form this season.

However, much will depend on Real Madrid's ability to land a striker in January with Luis Suarez believed to be their prime target. Should they manage to prise the Uruguayan off the Reds, Benzema will fall further down the pecking order and may choose to move elsewhere. Mesut Ozil's arrival from Real Madrid last summer will also play in the Gunners' favour should Benzema have to choose a club come January. Wenger's need for a striker is reciprocated by chief executive Ivan Gazidis who believes that they cannot overburden Giroud if they have to push for the title.

"We will see where Arsenal will be in January and whether or not the club will invest in another forward. Olivier Giroud won't be able to go on all alone until the end of the season. We need to buy,"Gazidis told French newspaper L'Equipe.

The Frenchman has been in good form this season, scoring six goals and assisting five in 11 starts for the Spanish giants. Should he choose to complete a move to north London, it will be a major boost for Wenger who is looking for this fourth Premier League trophy with the Gunners. The Premier League will resume after the international break when the Gunners take on Southampton with Wenger expecting the likes of Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski to make a comeback after missing a major chunk of the season through injury.