The Gunners board will be prepared to fund a £30million fee for
Lyon's Benzema, 21, if Arsene Wenger opts to cash in on Emmanuel
Adebayor.
AC Milan have been considering making a new move for Adebayor
this week. Togo ace Adebayor, 25, has also been linked with a move
to Inter Milan and even Chelsea.
United are in pole position to lure Benzema - but he is also on
Real Madrid's radar. The player says he would prefer another season
at Lyon to make sure he cements a place in the France side for the
World Cup. But the club's owners have hinted that a bid of more
than £30m would turn their heads.
Gunners chief Wenger has been a long-term fan of Benzema. There
were suggestions last summer he had a verbal deal with Lyon
offering him first refusal.
On the face of it, £30m would seem out of Arsenal's range. But
the Arsenal board have approved up to £40m on new signings this
summer and the sale of Adebayor would boost the transfer
pot.
Wenger hopes to sign Brazil midfield ace Felipe Melo, 26, from
Fiorentina. But the Serie A club may want £25m with Arsenal valuing
him at £15m.
