Arsenal moves for Benzema and Di Maria

Arsenal are prepared to launch a joint bid for Madrid stars Benzema and Di Maria.

The Gunners are willing to pay around €41 million to sign France international Benzema, who moved to the Spanish capital for €35m in 2009. Madrid are willing to negotiate over a deal for Di Maria, who Arsenal value at around €17.5m, but the future of Benzema is less given that the 25-year-old is the only senior striker at the club. The Londoners have missed out on a number of high-profile targets this summer, most notably Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and former Madrid hitman Gonzalo Higuain, who moved to Napoli.
Arsene Wenger has been urged to spend money by disgruntled supporters following their Premier League opening-day defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Benzema is los Blancos' sole forward following the sale of Higuain, with Spain youth internationals Jese and Alvaro Morata providing back-up, meaning Carlo Ancelotti would likely have to seek a marquee replacement before the transfer window closes.

Argentine winger Di Maria's place in the Madrid line-up is said to be under threat should Bale be brought in, and he had indeed been linked with a move to White Hart Lane as part of any potential deal for the Welshman.

But it is the Gunners who are actively pursuing the 25-year-old, who is left-footed but usually plays on the right wing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Wenger admits defeat to Suarez chaze following his side's 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday evening.