Real Madrid have ‘no problem’ selling £36m star to Arsenal

Will Ford
Asensio Real Madrid

Real Madrid reportedly have ‘no problem’ selling forward Marco Asensio to Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners are one of several ‘important clubs’ to have registered an interest in Asensio, according to Sport (via Sport Witness).


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The 26-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2023 and the report claims he believes he ‘deserves an upgrade’ considering his displays for the La Liga giants this season.

Asensio – who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt – has scored ten goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this term and wants a much improved contract to remain in the Spanish capital.

Asensio currently receives €9m per year and Madrid have offered him the same gross payment to remain with them, plus additional bonuses which could reach €1.5m.

But Asensio wants more and Madrid are unwilling to meet his demands, insisting they are ‘not going to accede’ to his wishes.

With this in mind, the club have ‘no problem’ making him available for transfer in the summer and are said to be aware of Arsenal’s interest.

The report claims Madrid have set a deadline of June 30 for Asensio to accept their offer, after which he will be put up for sale should he not agree to the terms.

Meanwhile, former Madrid star Steve McManaman says Asensio is more likely to end up at Arsenal than Liverpool, with the forward also linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp’s side.

He said in November: “Marco Asensio hasn’t played enough at Real Madrid. His reputation was probably better two years ago when he first came onto the scene and scored a bunch of lovely goals, in the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017 in Cardiff and in the Super Cup, a lovely goal, against Barcelona.

“But since then he’s had injuries and of course Real Madrid aren’t the team that they were four years ago, and his level has come off.

“It all depends on what Asensio himself wants to do and, secondly, what Real Madrid are going to do; whether they’re going to bring [Kylian] Mbappé in, if they’re going to try and bring [Erling] Haaland in as well – and that will determine Asensio’s decision.

“I know lots of players who have been at Real Madrid. Because they’re Spanish, because they love the capital, because they love the lifestyle, because they love playing for a team like Real Madrid, they’d quite happily stay, and stay, and stay, without playing a huge amount of football.

“Asensio maybe one of those players but if [Karim] Benzema’s in front of him, Mbappé’s in front of him, if he thinks Vinicius Jr’s better than him, Rodrygo’s ahead of him, and the opportunity is there to leave, then maybe he will take it.

“If it was a club next year I’d say it would be Arsenal. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang’s coming to the end of his career – or he’s certainly into his thirties – and with [Alexandre] Lacazette in a similar position and coming to the end of his contract, Asensio could be at a club where he’d probably have more joy of playing. If he’s to leave in 18 months, it’s still a long, long way away.

“But I think he’s an Arsenal type of player, like an [Martin] Ødegaard, who’s good on the ball, not necessarily really quick, but turns well, scores goals and makes chances.”