Wednesday Morning Done Deal ✅: Arsenal completed the signing of £60m South American superstar, player pen down 4yr deal with the club last night, medical to take place today

According to rumors, Arsenal has been offered the chance to sign Karim Benzema but is now mulling a deal for a versatile defender.

Benzema wants to leave Al-Ittihad after less than a year in the Saudi Pro League, and he has been linked with many European clubs.

Arsenal, meantime, had considered signing a new striker one of their top priority for the January transfer window, but their capacity to do so this month has been limited due to Financial Fair Play issues.

According to MailOnline, Benzema was offered to Arsenal earlier this month, however, the Gunners are weighing up whether to sign a ‘versatile defender’ before the transfer deadline next Wednesday.

According to the source, Jurrien Timber is making good progress after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in August, and Arsenal hopes that their £38 million addition from Ajax will be able to play in the final two months of the season.

Meanwhile, Benzema is said to be in negotiations about returning to Lyon.

The 36-year-old came through Lyon’s academy, where he established himself as one of Europe’s top young strikers before moving to Real Madrid in 2009.

Last June, Benzema signed a three-year contract worth €100 million (£85.5 million) each season with Al-Ittihad.

Last week, rumors in France reported that the Saudi club was ‘furious’ with Benzema for returning to training 17 days late after his break in Mauritius.

Benzema arrived on Thursday evening, 17 days late. He was supposed to return on January 2,’ a club insider told AFP.

‘We couldn’t contact him for ten days. The club’s administration and coach are outraged over what happened.

‘There will be a meeting with the club board to explain what transpired and plan his future.’