Arsene Wenger, in his attempt at making a marquee signing, has zeroed in on Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
With Wenger admitting the Luis Suarez deal was dead, Arsenal are desperate to land a big name before the closure of the transfer window and the Arsenal manager has identified Benzema as the ideal candidate, according to the Daily Mirror.
Wenger is of course a long-term admirer of Benzema and would have bid for the French international much earlier, had he been able to afford the former Lyon man.
However, now armed with plenty of money, Wenger is ready to test Real Madrid's resolve by making a bid of around £40 million ($62 million).
Arsenal hope Real will be willing to sell as the Spaniards are looking to create funds to complete the world record deal for Gareth Bale.
The major problem, though, is that Real only really have Benzema - a signing of current president Florentino Perez -- as a senior central striker in their squad at the moment, having sold Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli.
If Bale does arrive as expected, Carlo Ancelotti does have the option of moving Cristiano Ronaldo into a central position, while Real also have the up and coming highly-rated Alvaro Morata in their squad.
Wenger is also interested in Real playmaker Mesut Ozil, but with the number of playmakers at the Frenchman's disposal, the German international, who has also been linked with Manchester United, is not seen as a priority.
The Arsenal manager promised there would be plenty of activity from here on in until the transfer window shuts, and if Wenger can pull off a coup by agreeing a deal for Benzema, then it will certainly lift the gloom around the Emirates.
Arsenal are also keen on bringing in a central midfielder, with the club planning to increase their bid for Yohan Cabaye, having seen an opening offer rejected by Newcastle.
Arsenal showed they have to quality to beat strong opposition after their brilliant performance in Turkey against Fenerbahce - it is now just a matter of strengthening the squad and adding a couple of preferably world-class players to take Arsenal to the next level.
