Due to the expiration of his Real Madrid contract, Marco Asensio may go this summer, with Arsenal being one of the Premier League teams interested in a transfer.
Marco Asensio could be allowed to leave Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
Marco Asensio’s agents will fly to London this week to get a feel for Premier League interest in their client.
The 27-year-old’s future is still uncertain and Real Madrid will wait until March or April to decide whether or not to offer him fresh terms. His current deal expires this summer, having first joined the club from Mallorca in a deal worth less than £4million.
His contract situation has opened the door for his agents to see what else is out there and Arsenal, whose boss Mikel Arteta is a fan, are among the clubs they are planning to talk to. Asensio is looking for a four-year deal and a higher wage than he receives in Madrid, which is a reported £118,000 per week.
The attacking midfielder has featured more regularly for Real boss Carlo Ancelotti of late but there are still no assurances from Los Blancos or the Italian that he features in the club’s long-term plans. Asensio has started in two of Real’s last three La Liga matches and scored from the start in their 2-0 win over Valencia on Thursday.
Marco Asensio celebrates after scoring for Real Madrid against Valencia ( Image: Getty Images)
It is believed that Asensio last year was leaning towards a departure and his priority for any future contract is the promise of more minutes on the pitch. However, there has been an easing of tensions between the player and club in recent weeks with the Spaniard playing more.
Club president Florentino Perez is a fan of the forward and has made his admiration known to the player, who is beginning to get back into form at Los Blancos. Vinicius Jr also found the net in a feisty affair at the Santiago Bernabeu against Valencia as Real closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just five points.
Asensio could be a crucial cog in Real’s push for the title, and if he performs well, it could increase interest in him from suitors across Europe, including Arsenal. Paris Saint-Germain tried to sign the player in the dying enviers on the January transfer window. However, according to Madrid Universal, the French club failed to make a bid.
The barrier between the two parties will likely be the economics of the contract once again. Arsenal have just six players earning more than Asensio’s current £110k terms, with Gabriel Jesus highest on £265k.
Crucially, two of the three senior players the Gunners signed in the summer pocket higher than £150k-a-week, meaning that they are willing to increase their wage bill. Arteta is a big admirer of Asensio and could be keen to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
But amidst the uncertainty surrounding his future, Asensio’s immediate focus is on Real and he is set to start for Carlo Ancelotti’s men in their La Liga clash against former club Mallorca on Sunday.
source: www.mirror.co.uk
