Real Madrid's Karim Benzema 'agrees to join Arsenal'

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has allegedly agreed to join Arsenal, but the Gunners are said to be short of meeting the La Liga club's asking price for the player.

The Premier League outfit are willing to pay £35m for the 30-year-old's services, while Los Blancos are holding out for £52.3m, according to The Mirror.

With the clubs still locked in negotiations over a fee, Benzema is said to have told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger that he will move to the Emirates.

The former Lyon striker has struggled to find form for Real this season, with the Spanish giants enduring a tough campaign that has seen bitter rivals Barcelona open up a 19-point gap on them at the top of the table.

Real's recent fortunes have led to reports that manager Zinedine Zidane is planning to overhaul his squad this year, and a new number nine to replace Benzema is rumoured to be high on his shopping list.