Real Madrid Transfer News: Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani Deadline Day Rumours

Karim Benzema has been linked with a transfer deadline day move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly ready to pay £50 million for the Real Madrid striker as they bid to replace Edinson Cavani, per Italian source Corriere dello Sport (h/t Matt Heath-Smith of the Sun). 

The same report has noted how Serie A side Napoli want Cavani. There are also details on Benzema's struggles to see the field with Los Blancos so far this season:

Benzema, 28, came on as a substitute in Madrid’s 3-2 Super Cup win over Sevilla earlier this month but has yet to feature in La Liga.

He scored 28 goals in 36 games for the Spanish giants last season but endured a tough campaign with an ongoing blackmail trial seeing him left out of France’s Euro 2016 squad.

Zinedine Zidane has started Morata – who returned from Juventus for a £23million fee earlier in the summer - in all of Madrid’s games this term and the Spanish frontman netted in the 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.

And it is believed Benzema could be tempted by a change of scenery rather than fight for his starting place with the European champions.

PSG certainly need help to offset the loss of talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who joined Manchester United this summer. Cavani has struggled to fill the void after being guilty of several notable misses in front of goal.

ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson recently revealed how PSG director of football Patrick Kluivert is targeting reinforcements up front:

Uruguay international Cavani would likely benefit from a return to Italy, where he thrived with Napoli before moving to Paris.

Yet while this deal would obviously benefit PSG, it would weaken Los Merengues. Benzema is not as vital to Real's chances as wide forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. However, the Frenchman is still a very useful link player. He has target-man qualities, is a threat in the air and can play with his back to goal.

Bale and Ronaldo can make their runs off Benzema and his hold-up work. In addition, the 28-year-old is clever with his movement.

He often ghosts out of the middle into wide areas, usually drifting toward the left flank. Those runs create vital space for Ronaldo to attack through the middle, where the iconic and free-scoring No. 7 is at his best.

Alvaro Morata was brought back from Juventus this summer, and he could grow into a similar role. But the 23-year-old remains raw as an every-game starter at centre-forward.

Benzema is vital to the balance Los Blancos covet up top. Their forward line is better with their No. 9 available.