Premier League leaders Arsenal reportedly hold an interest in signing Real Madrid attacking midfielder Marco Asensio on a free transfer this summer with the Spaniards contract with Los Blancos set to expire at the end of the season.
According to the Mirror, the 27-year-old's agents will fly into London this week to learn of Premier League interest in their client with the Gunners believed to be among the admirers of the Spain international.
Game time has been hard to come by for Asensio under Carlo Ancelotti this term with the playmaker having been limited to just four starts in La Liga this term. He did, however, score in Real's 2-0 victory over Valencia on Thursday, taking his tally for the season to four goals in all competitions.
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There is still a possibility that the Spaniard is offered and signs an extension on his current deal, with the 27-year-old believed to be earning £118,000-per-week, but Los Blancos aren't expected to make a decision until March or April.
That period will also determine how likely it is for the Gunners to lift their first Premier League title since 2004 with Mikel Arteta's side five points clear of Manchester City prior to Pep Guardiola's men's match at Tottenham.
Should Arteta opt to sign his fellow countryman on a free transfer in the summer, it could seriously impact Emile Smith-Rowe's game-time at the Emirates Stadium, with the Hale End academy graduate already suffering an injury-stricken campaign this season.
The 22-year-old has been limited to just five appearances in the Premier League this term with a groin issue seriously limited opportunities on the pitch so far this term.
With substitute appearances against Tottenham and Oxford United of late, the attacking midfielder was expected to be involved on Saturday against Everton but was ruled out with a thigh issue.
It is believed that his absence was precautionary but further injuries could frustrate Arteta, who already has a handful of players sidelined. The arrival of Asensio would add undoubted quality and experience to the Spaniard's squad.
Since returning from a loan spell at Espanyol in 2016 in his first season at Real Madrid, the attacking midfielder has won three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, three La Liga titles, three UEFA Super Cups and three Spanish Super Cups.
At 27, Asensio still has plenty of football left in him but would be a senior figure in Arteta's current squad with the Premier League leaders the top-flight's youngest squad. This could offer some additional pedigree to the Gunners' roster with Smith-Rowe seemingly likely to be a victim should a deal materialise.
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