Arsenal ‘set to battle AC Milan and PSG for Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio’

Arsenal have entered the race to sign Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.

Asensio has spent the last eight years at the Bernabeu, making 285 appearances during this period, but he is set to leave the club next month when his contract expires after rejecting an offer to extend his deal.

Arsenal are keen to bolster their attacking options as they aim to push for the title again next season, and have turned their attention to Asensio, as reported by Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

The Gunners have held an interest in the 27-year-old since last summer, and could now make their move without having to pay a penny for his services.

They face stiff competition for his signature, though, with European giants AC Milan and PSG also keeping tabs on Asensio.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to bring him to the Emirates on a free transfer

Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his squad ahead of next season, as his side prepare to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

The north London outfit have already identified Declan Rice as their number one midfield target, but may need to fend off Bayern Munich to land the West Ham captain, with the Bundesliga champions ready to pay £95m to get their man.

Rice could replace Granit Xhaka at the Emirates Stadium, with the Swiss midfielder expected to move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Rice is far from the only name on Arsenal’s wishlist, though, and Asensio has emerged as another target due to his versatility.

He is capable of playing in several positions in the final third, which could allow Arteta to rotate his front line, after Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all struggled to make a significant impact as Arsenal were overtaken by Manchester City at the top of the table in the closing stages of the season.

Asensio has featured in 30 LaLiga matches for Madrid this term, but has only started 15 times, playing just over 1,400 minutes in total.

Despite not getting regular starting opportunities, he has still chipped in with nine goals and six assists in the league.

Asensio also netted three times in the Champions League, including against Chelsea in the quarter-finals, before Madrid were dumped out by City in the last four. 

Asensio has scored nine league goals this season, despite not being a regular starter at Madrid