Arsene Wenger has enquired into the availability of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as the Gunners boss seeks a big name signing to persuade Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to stay at Arsenal.

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The Arsenal boss knows losing the pair will have a detrimental effect on club morale, with Fabregas seemingly Barcelona bound and contract rebel Nasri attracting interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

Wenger is willing to smash the club's transfer record with a £27m bid for Benzema and prove to his unsettled stars that that they can achieve their career ambitions with the Gunners.

Arsenal have already completed the £10m signing of Ivory Coast striker Gervinho from Lille this week and now Wenger is keen to sign another top-class forward to take the goalscoring burden off the injury prone Robin van Persie.

While Wenger recognises the goalscoring impact Benzema could have on the pitch, the Frenchman also hopes that signing his 24-year-old compatriot will prove a turning point in what has been a difficult transfer window for the club.

However, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is keen for the Benzema to remain at the Bernabeu despite the striker failing to hold down a regular spot in Jose Mourinho's team.

Meanwhile, the Spanish giants have been linked with a £40m bid for unsettled Manchester City striker Carlos Tevex on the back of Corinthians failed £35m bid for the Argentine star.