Arsenal have not given up on signing Karim Benzema despite Real Madrid’s insistence that the striker will not be sold this summer.

Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez said this week that he has “no reason” to believe Benzema will leave the club this summer as the Gunners attempt to bring him to north London. But Arsenal still believe a deal may be possible towards the end of the transfer window after initial contact with Benzema’s camp and Real Madrid executives.
Real Madrid’s public stance is that Benzema is not for sale, while his agent Karim Djaziri said last month that his star client will “1,000 per cent” play for the Spanish giants in the new season.
Arsenal have targeted Benzema as manager Arsene Wenger looks to add a top quality forward to his squad to boost his side’s chances of winning a first Premier League title since 2004.
Wenger has said that he is happy with his squad and will only move in the transfer market if an “exceptional” player becomes available before the window closes.
Benzema, 27, fits the bill and Arsenal have tried to sign him on several occasions in the past. The hope in north London is that they can clinch a deal for the Frenchman in a similar manner to the £42.5 million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid on the final day of the transfer window in 2013.