Arsenal have reportedly contacted Real Madrid over a swap deal, trading Alexis Sanchez for Karim Benzema.

It wouldn’t be an Arsenal transfer window without yet another link to Madrid striker Karim Benzema. According to reports in Spain via the Express, the Gunners are alleged to have contacted Real Madrid with a view to signing the French international.

The article states that Alexis Sanchez would be moving in the other direction. He has a year left on his Arsenal contract and is yet to sign an extension, which seems to be the only piece of information that lends this story any credibility.

Aside from the fact that the Gunners may be looking to move Alexis on before they lose him on a free, there is very little to support this story. Arsenal have signed Alexandre Lacazette for a club record fee, who is competing with Olivier Giroud. A third striker would overkill, I feel.

It’s also unlikely Real Madrid would sell another first-team centre-forward given they let Alvaro Morata join Chelsea this summer, even if Alexis was coming in. His Barcelona playing days might prove a stumbling block too.

Overall, I think it’s highly unlikely Arsenal will be doing any swap deal for Karim Benzema, nor are the Gunners looking to part company with Alexis Sanchez 12 months early.