Arsenal line up move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema

Arsenal will renew their interest in Karim Benzema following the Champions League final after becoming aware that the 26-year-old France striker could be allowed to leave Real Madrid this summer.

Arsène Wenger has failed with several previous attempts to buy Benzema, including last summer, but the Arsenal manager would still regard him as an ideal signing if he does become available.

Benzema has one year remaining on his contract at Real, leaving the Champions League finalists with a major decision as to whether they renew his deal or seek to sell this summer in the knowledge that he would still command a fee in the region of £30million. Much will also depend on whether Madrid themselves are successful in adding a striker, with Liverpool’s Luis Suárez among their principal targets.

Arsenal asked after Benzema when they signed Mesut Özil last summer but Real had already sold Gonzalo Higuaín and Benzema was not keen to move. Real’s immediate focus is the looming Champions League final against neighbours Atlético Madrid but, after that match, Arsenal will inquire as to Benzema’s availability.

Wenger is also pursuing other striker options, including Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic, but has made little attempt to stop two other players he has scouted regularly – Diego Costa and Josip Drmic – from respective moves to Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.