Real Madrid will reportedly demand around €40 million to part ways with Marco Asensio, a target for Arsenal and AC Milan this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Marco Asensio is open to remaining at Real Madrid beyond the summer transfer window. But he wants Los Blancos to offer him his desired deal. The Merengues will demand €40 million for the Spaniard if he decides to leave amid interest from Arsenal and AC Milan.
Marco Asensio has reached a crucial juncture of his career as he enters the final year of his contract with Real Madrid. The Spaniard was supposed to be a long-term solution in Los Blancos’ attack but continues to battle for a place as one of the first-choice forwards in the team.
The 26-year-old enjoyed his productive campaign thus far in 2021/22, amassing 12 goals and two assists in 42 outings for Real Madrid across all competitions. But the Spanish giants are in a spot of bother over Asensio’s long-term future, with contract renewal talks headed nowhere. Such a situation has captured the attention of Arsenal and AC Milan.
The interest from Arsenal stems from the rising uncertainties surrounding the future of Nicolas Pepe. The Ivory Coast international could depart from the Emirates in the summer transfer window after dropping in stature in Arsenal’s first-team squad this past season.
If Pepe leaves, Arsenal will need to focus on making two attacking reinforcements, with signing a striker already a priority following Alexandre Lacazette’s departure. Asensio is thus a viable target for Arsenal, who will need to fend off stiff competition from AC Milan to land the Spanish winger, valued at around €40 million by Real Madrid.
Recent reports have claimed that Asensio is open to joining AC Milan, giving the Rossoneri an advantage in his pursuit. The Serie A champions can do with an upgrade on Junior Messias and Alexis Saelemaekers on the right flank, bringing the Real Madrid forward into the picture.
While Asensio is open to remaining at Real Madrid, he will leave if the Spanish giants do not meet his demands for his new contract. And even though the 26-year-old will have no qualms about leaving Real Madrid as a free agent, Los Blancos might prefer to cash in on him this summer. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal and AC Milan will be open to paying €40 million to secure his services.
