Arsenal will fly out to Madrid today to try and complete the transfer of Karim Benzema.
If there has been one constant in this transfer window, it has been Benzema to Arsenal, and it looks like that deal could finally come to fruition.
After Emanuele Giulianelli confirmed Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Benzema, with the France international striker giving his nod to a four-year contract, the Italian journalist has gone one step further by revealing the English Premier League club are set to fly to Madrid on Friday in a bid to get the transfer signed, sealed and delivered.
"Arsenal mission tomorrow in Madrid to close the deal for Benzema," Giulianelli wrote on his Twitter account. "Offer will be around €50mln.
"Benzema himself asked Real Madrid to join Arsenal. The meeting of tomorrow is to agree the payment terms."
Interestingly, Graham Hunter, the respected Spanish football journalist, has also opened up the possibility of Benzema moving from Real Madrid to Arsenal this summer, with Hunter saying the transfer will go through if the striker personally asks for a move.
Real Madrid are in debt and don't have funds as usual to make one of those Galactico signings this season, and Hunter believes they could use the money from the sale of Benzema.
"Arsenal have the money and Real Madrid need the money -- they're €500m in debt," Hunter said while on Talksport.
"They're trying to buy David De Gea and won't go the extra mile to get him off Manchester United because of the cash, so they need the money.
"And because Rafa Benitez will play 4-2-3-1 there is one less place for an attacking player than there was last season.
"It is a doable deal, but it won't happen unless Benzema says to Real Madrid: 'I want to go to Arsenal.'"
Arsenal are prepared to pay a big amount to sign Benzema, and if the above reports are to be believed, it all depends on Benzema. With Giulianelli saying Benzema has given his go-ahead to the move, the Gooners out there could be in line for another big-name player to cherish at the Emirates come the new season.
