Paul White/Associated Press
Real Madrid are preparing themselves for bids for two of their steadiest performers—with rumours Karim Benzema and Iscoare attracting interest from across Europe.
Matt Barlow of the Mail Online says Arsenal could move for Frenchman Benzema after Arsene Wenger admitted he is still looking at top-class options to improve his squad.
When asked directly about his interest in the attacker, the Gunners boss said, per Barlow:
I don't know where this comes from but it's not happening [a move for Benzema] at the moment, no. If I find an exceptional player to strengthen, I will do it. It depends what's on the market. It's not easy, there are a lot of teams out there in Europe competing for the same player. We don't rule it out and we don't guarantee we will sign.
Manu Fernandez/Associated Press
Benzema has just completed his sixth season at the Bernabeu, and with changes happening under new boss Rafa Benitez, no player's place in the squad is guaranteed. Wenger has recently spoken about the "cohesion" of his unit, per Barlow, and Benzema would certainly add potency to Arsenal's striking options.
Despite the rumours, Benzema has been in fine fettle in a Madrid shirt in recent times, scoring 21 goals in La Liga and the Champions League in 2014-15, per WhoScored.com, and providing 11 assists.
Francois Mori/Associated Press
It is unlikely Benitez will want to sacrifice a player with such a statistical return, but if Cristiano Ronaldo ends up as the new manager's striker, Benzema might be surplus to requirements.
Benzema's international team-mate, Olivier Giroud, further fanned the flames of speculation when asked if his team were moving for the Madrid star, choosing to sidestep the question, per football writer Samuel Jay C:
Juventus Want Isco
With the future of Arturo Vidal in doubt at Italian champions Juventus, the Old Lady is rumoured to be eyeing up a move for midfielder Isco.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t TalkSport) say Juve are favourites to grab the 23-year-old, beating Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal to his signature.
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is a known admirer of the player and recently name-dropped him in an interview with La Repubblica (h/t Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football).
"I’d like to have a playmaker that never gets bored. A wild card within a balanced game," he said. "Selfishness and narcissism, in moderation, isn’t detrimental to the health of the team. I like Real Madrid’s Isco and Brazil’s Oscar."
Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press
The Spain international featured prominently for Carlo Ancelotti last term, appearing in 45 games in La Liga and the Champions League, providing nine assists for his team, per WhoScored.
Both Benzema and Isco would be losses for Benitez as he looks to turn around the fortunes of the Spanish giants. Both players give Madrid strong tactical variations, and Benitez will not want to see an exodus shortly after his arrival.
But with the unrivalled riches on offer in the EPL and the rise of Juve in European football once again, there is no guarantee either player will stay with Los Blancos with other challenges on offer.
