Benfica make Nicklas Bendtner approach

Benfica have reportedly approached Arsenal regarding the possibility of signing Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner.

The 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland, has hinted that he intends to leave the Gunners permanently this summer by saying that he wants a "new challenge".

Scouts from Benfica watched Bendtner as he scored twice in his country's 3-2 defeat to Portugal last Wednesday and club officials have now made an official enquiry about the player's availability, according to Danish newspaper Sporten.

Bendtner is contracted to Arsenal until the summer of 2014.