‘Very angry’ Arsenal target contract talks ‘paralysed’ as Arteta, Edu eye ideal free transfer

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio is set to leave the European champions this summer with Arsenal, Barcelona and AC Milan interested.

Asensio is out of contract at the end of the season with a renewal unlikely as things stand. He features on this summer.

Arsenal have been linked with the player for quite a while now and could be ready to pounce if he becomes a free agent.

He is not expected to be short of suitors, however, and a shock switch to Barcelona could be on the cards.

According to Sport, Asensio’s future at Real Madrid is ‘in jeopardy’ with his relationship with manager Carlo Ancelotti on the rocks.

The Spanish international is apparently ‘very angry’ with the former Chelsea boss, who has ‘ostracised’ the player.

The 27-year-old has actually played 31 times across all competitions this season, though only ten of those appearances have come as a starter.

Asensio has been an unused substitute in Los Blancos’ last two matches, with the final straw being Ancelotti having the player warm up for half an hour without bringing him on against Real Betis over the weekend.

As a result of his lack of consistent playing time and ‘strained’ relationship with Ancelotti, contract negotiations are now ‘paralysed’.

The report claims that Barcelona are keen but are unexpected to make a move at this moment in time.

Surprisingly, Asensio is ‘willing to listen’ to his current club’s arch-rivals ahead of free agency, with ‘several European teams’ alerted by his situation.

AC Milan and Arsenal have already ‘spoken’ to the Real Madrid star’s representatives, the report adds.

In a blow to both of those sides, it is claimed that Asensio ‘likes the Barcelona coaching staff very much’. That’ll show those pesky b*ggers at Real Madrid if you go there, mate.

The Gunners will be back in the Champions League next season – barring a huge capitulation between now and the end of 2022-23 – and Mikel Arteta needs to bolster his squad in the summer.

Winning the Premier League title would make Arsenal an extremely appealing destination for top players around the world; and even without a title win, they will still be able to attract some great talents in the summer.

Arteta brought in Leandro Trossard in January but it would be surprising if the north Londoners do not sign another winger in the summer transfer window.

Former Leeds United star Raphinha was their top target last summer, but he joined Barcelona.

In January, the Gunners had two bids rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk before he joined London rivals Chelsea for a £62million fee plus add-ons.

Arteta will hope he does not miss out on another top target in the upcoming window. Asensio might not be his priority signing, but he would be a very stellar addition.

Asensio’s best position is as a right-winger, which is where Arsenal lack depth.

Bukayo Saka has played a lot of football over the last two years and the signing of the Real Madrid man would be the perfect back-up for the England international.