English Premier League club Arsenal have been eyeing a mystery strike as a contingency plot if Karim Benzema backs out of their transfer deal, Metro reported.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already told the Frenchman's agents that they want to sign the 27-year-old striker and is making steps to fast-track the finalization of contracts ahead of the closing day of the transfer window.
Despite reports last week that this was a done deal, it is said that the Gunners' £31 million ($48.5 million) offer for the striker has been rejected, according to Express.
Despite the rejection, Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is still open to listen to offers, especially now that Real is reportedly desperate to sign German midfielder Marco Reus. Benitez will only let Benzema go if a done deal with his top summer target is finalized and money enough for the acquisition is available.
Spanish journalist Kike Marin reported that Wenger has a plan in place if the deal really does fall through. It is still unclear who the secondary target is, but the names of Alexandre Lacazette, Edin Dzeko and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been floating.
Metro says that Arsenal are only after proven talent this summer and are unwilling to gamble on a young potentially good player. Wenger feels like they are one more stellar striker away--one more to join Olivier Giroud--to being serious contenders for the Premier League title.
Giroud has been yearning for another player to boost their chances and it looks like Wenger is finally hearing his pleas. The English transfer window closes on September 1st. If Benzema turns his back, Wenger has until then to find the striker Giroud has been asking for.