REAL MADRID have reportedly decided to cash in on Marco Asensio.
The Spain international’s current deal at the Bernabeu expires next summer and talks over a new contract have yet to bear fruit.
Asensio, 26, has opted not to commit his long-term future to the club due to a lack of starts, and Real are reportedly worried about losing the winger for nothing.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim Los Blancos want a swift resolution before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Real are said to have slapped a £25million asking price on the forward – who is a long-term target of Arsenal’s.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is looking to add another winger to his squad following Nicolas Pepe’s season-long loan to Lille.
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The Spaniard said: “If we can implement the plan that we have, we will try to do that. In the plan, that [Pepe’s loan move] was something that could happen.
“Now it’s a reality and we’ve been preparing the last two months in order to achieve what we want.
“Whether that’s possible or not, we will see.”
Asensio has remained tight-lipped on his future this summer, although he recently confirmed to manager Carlo Ancelotti that he wants to leave the club.
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Ancelotti said earlier this week: “Marco is looking at something to see if he can leave.”
Asensio joined Real from Real Mallorca in January 2015 for a fee of £3.75million.
The winger has scored 49 goals and provided 24 assists in 236 appearances for the club.
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Real will be back in action this evening, travelling to Barcelona to take on Espanyol.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates on Wednesday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
