Sergio Aguero and Karim Benzema could begin domino effect of transfers between Manchester City, Real Madrid and Arsenal
SERGIO AGUERO could hold the key to Arsenal getting their hands on Karim Benzema - if Real Madrid manage to land the Argentinian in the summer.
Benzema has long been a player of interest for Arsene Wenger.
But given the situation at Manchester City, where Aguero has been relegated to the bench after the introduction of teenage sensation Gabriel Jesus, a domino effect of transfers could be triggered.
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City have vehemently reiterated that Aguero is not for sale after the 28-year-old hinted he was off.
And the 168-goal City forward has the added complication that he was at Real's cross-town rivals Atletico for five seasons before moving to the Premier League.
According to AS, Real have already shown an interest in Aguero in the past and would be happy to swoop again.
Benzema, meanwhile, would cost Arsenal around £50million - a player the Gunners have tried to sign in the past, but to no avail.
The 29-year-old has never tested himself in the Premier League, despite enjoying huge success at Real Madrid, where he has won two Champions League medals and worked under France legend Zinedine Zidane.
But the Los Blancos forward line is ageing and although Cristiano Ronaldo is showing no sign of slowing down as he turns 32, Zidane could use it as an opportunity to freshen up his ranks.
Aguero said yesterday: "I have three months to do my best and then we'll see what happens with my future.
"In three years my contract is up, that's why I say I'm happy at the club. In these last three months that are left I have to help the club and, as I say, the club will decide if I have a place here or not."
That sparked a frenzy of rumours he is about to leave the Etihad, prompting City to say that he is going nowhere.
A source told MEN Sport: "There is no vagueness about our position. We want Sergio to stay.
"Pep has repeatedly said he is an important player for us, and if Sergio is staying it is down to the club, well the club really wants him to stay.
"No-one here wants him to leave and Pep has been explicit about that."