Arsenal are preparing to launch a 10-day shopping spree that could bring them five players, including Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria, at a total cost of £80 million, The Telegraph reports.

Benzema has emerged as Wenger’s priority signing and, following an initial inquiry to Real Madrid there is growing confidence that a £40 million bid would be enough to secure the France striker.

Having failed with a controversial £40,000,001 offer for Liverpool’s Luis Suárez, Wenger has now concluded that he must move on to other targets of a “world-class” stature.

Benzema’s ability to link the play and operate as a lone central striker has made him a long-term target of Wenger and, with Madrid close to completing the world-record transfer of Gareth Bale, there is a sense that they are prepared to make major sales.

Although Madrid have already sold one striker this summer in Gonzalo Higuain, there is a feeling that Spain Under-21 forward Álvaro Morata is ready to step into a more senior starting role. Madrid could also still launch a bid for Suárez.

Arsenal also keen on Di Maria, who is available and was previously put forward as a potential part of the Bale deal.

They are also still actively looking to recruit a midfielder, goalkeeper and defender. Bids were made this week for the former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who is now at Juventus, as well as Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye. Arsenal have been told that Pogba is not for sale at any price but, with Cabaye keen to leave Newcastle, a new bid of around £15 million is expected next week. Paris St-Germain are also interested, with Newcastle having initially said that they would want at least £20 million for their France midfielder.

Mathieu Flamini, Arsenal’s former midfielder, has also been training with the club and is increasingly likely to be signed on a free transfer. Flamini’s versatility is an added attraction for Wenger and, as well as boosting his central-midfield options in the current absence of Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he can also cover at right back.

Wenger has been seeking to add a right-sided defender and there has been tentative interest in Micah Richards, who has made little progress with contract talks at Manchester City and would cost around £10 million. There has been no bid for Swansea City’s Ashley Williams.