Arsenal have officially registered their interest in Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio, according to a report.
The 26-year-old is about to enter the final 12 months of his deal with the Champions League holders and could be forced out of the exit door as Real seek to balance the books.
Asensio's 2021-22 season saw him score 12 goals and set up two more in 42 matches across all tournaments, although he was not a consistent starter under Carlo Ancelotti.
Amid competition from Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, Asensio was only named in the starting lineup on 19 occasions in La Liga and twice in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.
The Spain international was named on the bench from the quarter-finals onwards, and he was an unused substitute in the final victory over Liverpool in the Stade de France.
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Real are expected to try to garner a fee for Asensio before losing him on a free next summer, and the attacker should not be short of offers despite his lack of consistent Blancos game time.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal have been in touch with Asensio's entourage to register their interest, but the attacker does have the offer of a new contract on the table from Real Madrid.
However, the former Mallorca youngster supposedly has no interest in extending his Bernabeu terms, and Real Madrid want a final answer on his future by June 20.
The report adds that Asensio is unlikely to be put off by Arsenal's lack of Champions League football, but he will want assurances over his game time before deciding on his next career move.
The attacker is also said to have attracted the interest of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan as he seemingly prepares to end his seven-year spell in the Spanish capital.
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Real Madrid forked out just £3.5m to sign Asensio as a 19-year-old in 2015, and he has since gone on to register 49 goals and 24 assists in 235 appearances for the capital giants.
Asensio has collected a total of 14 trophies during his time at the Bernabeu, winning three Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, three Club World Cups, three Supercopa de Espana's and two UEFA Super Cups.
While Arsenal should prioritise the signing of a recognised centre-forward this summer, the Gunners could be in the market for a new winger if Nicolas Pepe seeks a move away.
The former Lille man has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta and has supposedly decided that he wants to leave three years after arriving for a club-record £72m.
Paris Saint-Germain have allegedly been offered the chance to sign Pepe, who has changed agents as he prepares for the next chapter in his career.
Ben Knapton
