Arteta's 'leading role' promise to tempt Real Madrid star to spurn Barcelona

Tom Weber

• 7 Apr 2023 14:13 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio looks set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing him to North London.

The Los Blancos attacker is out of contract this summer and an extension is reportedly unlikely. Real chief Florentino Perez is said to be unwilling to indulge the 27-year-old's 'excessive' wage demands of €6 million per year considering Asensio has only put up eight goals and six assists in 36 games across all competitions this term.

Indeed, as FootballTransfers exclusively revealed last month, Barcelona are trying to engineer a shock move for the Real star. This particular crossing of the El Clasico divide would be made all the more controversial by the fact that Asensio once spent some time on loan with Barcelona's hated city rivals Espanyol.

READ: Arsenal scout 'next Luka Modric' at Feyenoord

Now, however, reports suggest that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is personally trying to hijack this move by promising Asensio an important role in his soon-to-be Premier League-winning team.

Asensio in North London?

Arsenal are running away with the league this season, currently sitting atop the Premier League table with an eight-point cushion on Manchester City. In order for the club to keep this up next season - and to be more competitive in Europe after their disappointing Europa League exit against Sporting CP - Arsenal will reportedly reinforce their squad with some high-profile arrivals in the summer.

One of those signings could be Asensio. Reports in Spain claim that "everything indicates that Asensio will finally join the ranks of Arsenal." Indeed, in order to persuade the attacker, Arteta "is promising him a leading role."

Arsenal could face a tough battle for his signature, however. Besides Barcelona, other big names are said to be keen on signing the Spaniard. Among those linked are the likes of AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and even Paris Saint-Germain.

READ: Barcelona make REQUEST to complete Messi mega-transfer

The latter may soon have a spot or two available in their front three given the reports of Lionel Messi's return to Barcelona and Kylian Mbappe's rumoured move to Real Madrid.