By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 16:30 EST, 21 August 2013 | UPDATED: 03:47 EST, 22 August 2013

Arsenal are set to turn their attentions to Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria in their search for marquee signings.

Despite the fact Real Madrid have a shortage of recognised centre forwards, manager Carlo Ancelotti will consider selling France international Benzema.

And the north London club have held high-level discussions with regards to a move for the striker.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Arsene Wenger: When I saw it, I was angry

Wanted man: Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (right) is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Wanted man: Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (right) is a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Another target: Arsenal are also keen on landing Angel di Maria, who played for Real Madrid against Real Betis

Another target: Arsenal are also keen on landing Angel di Maria, who played for Real Madrid against Real Betis

Manager Arsene Wenger is a long-term admirer of Benzema and has tried to sign the striker on several occasions before.

But Arsenal now look well placed to finally land the striker ahead of the September 2 transfer deadline.

Wenger is also keen to land Benzema's team-mate Di Maria. The Argentina winger may be surplus to requirements if Gareth Bale completes his world-record move from Tottenham to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Wenger has found huge frustration in their attempts to land Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney, but landing Benzema would soften the blow of missing out on the Barclays Premier League duo.

Arsenal have at least 70million to spend on new signings this summer, so affording Benzema and Di Maria should not be a problem for the London club.

On target: Benzema scored for Madrid against Real Betis on the opening day of the La Liga season

On target: Benzema scored for Madrid against Real Betis on the opening day of the La Liga season

But Wenger admitted defeat in his attempts to land Suarez.

'(There is) absolutely no chance of that,' said Wenger when asked about Suarez.

The Gunners boss, though, stressed he was looking to strengthen, especially in midfield, with Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby both also sidelined.

'We tried to bring one in, but we are working on that. You have to understand there is still a long way to go,' he said.

'The transfer market starts for me now and a lot of activity will happen between now and September 2.

Staying put: Luis Suarez will not be joining Arsenal this summer despite Arsene Wenger's interest

Staying put: Luis Suarez will not be joining Arsenal this summer despite Arsene Wenger's interest

'From August 21 until September 2 you have 12 days, so a lot will happen. It starts now.'

Wenger continued: 'It is like a poker game. People hold their cards as long as possible and see what is happening out there. In the end, they go for decisions.

'First everybody goes on holiday and nobody wants to do anything, then in many clubs there are manager changes. They need to know the squad before they make a decision. Many, many things, but it is always like that.' 


The comments below have not been moderated.

Benzema to Arsenal = Suarez to Real Madrid

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Ah Spursmail at it again I see! How are we desparate? We are looking for players like everyone else. The anti Arsenal but pro spuds bias is getting silly now. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Grow up.

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Hardly desperate if we sign these two. Just do it

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sign! sign! sign!; Spend! Spend! Spend!......but do that wisely These two plus a midfielder and a backing up defender could relieve

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- dodgy dave dagenham, only 1 team in north London and they play in red, 22/08/2013 13:47 Irishman actually Dave, never judge a book by its cover. --- Exactly... My name ain't really Dave lol

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I'm beginning to understand Wenger's thinking,and the Arsenal faithful should keep the faith and ignore what the DM hacks have to say, we're not sheep that needs to be led by them. Lets admit it, we may not have won anything of late but we have still not done too badly, and if Wenger/the board is taking a stand against these silly prices that are being paid for players then so be it, no harm in that. Yes we could probably go out there and spend 60m on one player, or even 100m on three players but I for one would not be happy with them doing that. What management/coaching/scouting skills does it take to go out and buy the new star player on the block rather than going out and identifying a relatively unknown with the right skills and temperament to fit into the Arsenal way and coaching him to become that new star that everyone covets. Long may he continue doing that. I'm confident that Giroud will become the next in a long line, and how much did we pay for him? You wait and see.

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Wha horrible wording "desperate" how is looking at two full internationals desperate

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And that coming from a scouser. - dodgy dave dagenham, only 1 team in north London and they play in red, 22/08/2013 13:47 Irishman actually Dave, never judge a book by its cover.

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Di Maria is an awesome technical player, just the sort of player Arsene likes I hope Arsenal lands hime.

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Decent conspiracy theory...arsenal buy Benzema which gives Madrid cash to buy Suarez...as well as Bale

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