Arsenal are scrambling to rescue their deal for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh from Liverpool.
The Mirror says Rafa Benitez is going head-to-head with Arsene Wenger in the battle to sign Chamakh.
Benitez and Wenger can open talks over a pre-contract agreement with Chamakh because he will be a free agent in the summer.
The Moroccan striker has long targeted by Wenger and now the Gunners boss faces competition from Liverpool.
Benitez wants to boost his strikeforce and Chamakh is determined to leave France this summer and cash in on a lucrative move to the Premier League.