Arsenal could reportedly profit from Real Madrid’s upcoming ‘exit operation’ as the Spanish giants are ready to sell Marco Asensio in January.
Asensio has regularly been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years and Arsenal have often been a part of the conversation.
The 26-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2014 and he has gradually fallen down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti.
Before the World Cup break, the winger had only started once in La Liga in 2022/23. He also only started twice in the Champions League group stages.
Asensio’s name cropping up again in relation to Arsenal is to be expected as the Premier League side are in the market for a new winger ahead of January.
Arsenal could be busy in the winter window as they are also keen to sign a new centre-midfielder.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘closely following’ Asensio.
The report states that Asensio is one player who ‘could leave’ in January. He and Dani Ceballos are out of contract in 2023 so they ‘can start negotiating with any club from January 1’.
Asensio is valued at €25m (£21m) by transfermarkt so he would be a cheaper option for Arsenal compared to Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Ukrainian has been recognised as Arsenal’s ‘priority target’ for the January transfer window but it has been suggested that he could cost over £50m.
As well as Asensio and Ceballos, Mundo Deportivo add Real Madrid may also let Alvaro Odriozola and Jesus Vallejo leave in January.
This is while Eden Hazard’s situation ‘will be resolved at the end of the season’.
This ‘exit operation’ from Real Madrid is being plotted as they are keen to sign Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez.
They intend to ‘lighten the squad’ to set themselves up to sign Bellingham and Fernandez from under the noses of Liverpool.
Madrid and Liverpool are set to butt heads a lot in the coming months with them in the market for the same players.
They are understood to be at the front of the queue to sign Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund next summer.
It has been suggested this week that Liverpool are the favourites to sign Bellingham ahead of Real Madrid but the ‘matter is not closed’.
Fernandez meanwhile has announced himself at the World Cup as he has shone for Argentina.
The Benfica midfielder has a £103m release clause in his contract and the club’s chief has claimed that players will only be let go in January if this buy-out fee is met.
Liverpool seem serious about battling Real Madrid for Fernandez though. The English side are reportedly prepared to ‘match’ any bids from rivals.
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