Report: Arsenal enquire over Karim Benzema

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly asked to be kept informed of Karim Benzema's availability ahead of potentially making a fresh bid for the Real Madrid striker in January.

The Gunners manager is desperate to add another forward to his table-topping squad after failing to sign any notable competition for Olivier Giroud in the summer transfer window.

He has always been a big admirer of Benzema, who snubbed Arsenal's interest in the summer, but The Mirror reports that he may be more open to a switch to the Emirates Stadium now.

The Frenchman has never been a favourite of the Madrid fans, and Mesut Ozil's arrival in London makes moving to Wenger's side, now seen as genuine Premier League challengers, a more attractive proposition.

Benzema has 18 months left on his Santiago Bernabeu contract and will likely only be allowed to leave if Los Blancos are successful in their pursuit of Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.