Luka Jovic has once again been linked with a January exit from Real Madrid, as happened this time last year when he returned to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan, but the hamstring injury suffered by Karim Benzema last weekend has put the brakes on any potential departure for the Serbian striker.
Given that this is the second knock that Benzema has suffered in the last few weeks, with the first coming away at Real Sociedad on December 4, Real Madrid do not want to be left with only Mariano Diaz as an option up top if the Frenchman faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Jovic is ahead of Mariano in Carlo Ancelotti‘s pecking order, but this been another campaign in which the 24-year-old has failed to put sufficient pressure on Benzema, having scored just one goal and provided two assists in 15 appearances so far this season.
Arsenal interest in Jovic
Reports began to emerge this Tuesday morning that Arsenal, who have an excellent relationship with Real Madrid, want to sign Jovic before the end of the transfer window next Monday, January 31.
However, no one at Real Madrid has received an offer for Jovic, but regardless, the thinking inside the club is that this is not the time to part ways with the Serbia international.
Jovic has failed to make the desired impact at Real Madrid since his 63 million euro arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2019, and it is expected that next summer could see the end of his time in the Spanish capital.
In fact, unlike some other players in the Real Madrid squad, he is willing to do his bit to try and seek a new club if his lack of minutes continues.
Until then, though, Jovic will continue to give his all for the shirt and look to carve out a place in Ancelotti‘s squad as the go-to player when Benzema needs to be rested or when the Frenchman is out injured.
