Speculation is mounting that Arsenal want to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio.
It was reported in midweek that Arsenal have already made an offer to the 26-year-old, who is out of contract in the Spanish capital within 18 months.
Early days, but Asensio, who’ll only have a year left come this summer, could find himself heavily involved in transfer speculation between May and September.
And there’s been an update from Spain this afternoon.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Arsenal could pick him up for £50 million, with that being around Real’s asking price.
The report adds that the player has a release clause of over 10 times that amount [£587 million].
According to Sport, Asensio will not entertain a potential contract extension unless they increase his salary, which is under £4.2 million per year right now – or £80,796 per week.
Good signing?
Honestly, no.
Edu has made a number of very questionable signings at Arsenal and to be frank, this would be right up there with the worst of them.
Asensio isn’t a poor footballer by any stretch of the imagination, but he isn’t good enough to command a £50 million transfer with only a year remaining on his existing contract.
The truth is that Madrid have very little bargaining power regarding Asensio.
In 10 months, the Spaniard will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement, meaning that realistically they have to sell Asensio this summer.
Arsenal aren’t the only suitor interested, with the same report noting Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund being reportedly keen, but the Blancos aren’t holding many cards.
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