CalcioMercato claim Arsenal are leading the race to sign Marco Asensio from Real Madrid this summer – ahead of Milan and other interested parties. Asensio is about to enter the final 12 months of his Real contract.
Asensio, 26, has already clocked up 229 appearances for Madrid since breaking into the first team – having a hand in 70 goals, scoring 47 himself and laying on 23 assists. But his future is in doubt and he could leave.
A prior report from the Sunday Mirror (10/04, p73) claims Madrid are ready to part company with the Spain international for just £30million – £384million less than his enormous £414million exit clause (Mirror).
So, Arsenal could land themselves the attacking midfielder for a bargain fee in the upcoming window. They have a good relationship with Madrid, buying Martin Odegaard from the Bernabeu last summer for £40million.
Asensio is capable of magic. A player with enormous talent, but one that probably does not show it on a consistent basis. He certainly improves Arsenal, but the Gunners need other players much more so, than Asensio.
They really need two strikers – with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract. A top-class midfielder to go alongside Thomas Partey. Cover at full-back and potentially, a replacement for Bernd Leno.
In the 10 role, they have a number of players – Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and more. Do they really need Asensio? Not as much as players in other positions.
