Could Arsenal make a shock move for Karim Benzema?

Mikel Arteta's side have long been linked with a move for Brentford striker who will imminently return from an eight-month football ban following breaches of the Football Association (FA)'s betting rules - but any January move for the 26-year-old looks off the table due to the reported finances involved - making a summer move more realistic.

But Arsenal need a striking solution now, which is where Benzema could enter the fold.

But while Benzema may be keen for a return to European football, his club and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) are far from on board with the idea and are intent on keeping him in the Kingdom given that he is one of the marquee players currently representing the Saudi Pro League.

While the dynamic at Arsenal has changed massively over the last decade, it is worth noting that the club have previously held an interest in signing Benzema, most notably back in 2013, though a move never transpired at the time.

It might not surprise you to learn that such a wage would simply be unaffordable to a club like Arsenal, whose current combined weekly wage bill is roughly £3.3m, meaning that taking onboard Benzema's wage would more than double the club's wage bill.

Given Al Ittihad and the PIF's reluctance to lose their superstar in the January transfer window, it is also not out of the question that they would expect a sizeable loan fee on top of Benzema's astronomical wages which, in my opinion, makes any move for him from Arsenal impossible, if it was not already.

The fact remains that Arsenal need to sign a striker to be able to compete for major honours, but it looks clear to me that this will not, and cannot, be the French Ballon d'Or winner.