Arsenal suffer transfer blow with target offered new four-year deal at La Liga club

Arsenal have suffered a setback with the news that transfer target Marco Asensio has been offered a new contract at Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to the Emirates after it emerged that Los Blancos would be open to offers.

Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo claimed that Real could sell Asensio this January, along with a host of other fringe players.

However, according to MARCA, Real Madrid now have a contract laid out for the winger, who has already expressed his desire to stay in the Spanish capital.

Asensio in contract negotiations

Both parties are said to be in agreement over the duration of the new deal, four years, but the player is reportedly unsatisfied with the reduced terms offered, with the Spaniard seeking a higher wage than what president Florentino Perez is willing to offer.

The report states that the World Cup star plans to get married on July 7 and wants his future resolved before then.

In a recent media interaction (via MARCA), the winger spoke out on his future, saying: “Things are being discussed, we’ll see where it goes. I’m focused on myself and the next game. Hopefully, everything will come to fruition.

“I want to renew and stay at Madrid for a long time, but it’s not something that depends only on me. For me, the most important thing is sporting matters and being happy.”

Arsenal facing competition from Barcelona

With Asensio said to be 'unhappy' with Real Madrid's terms, bitter rivals Barcelona are rumoured to have entered the race.

The two halves of El Classico rarely engage in business, with Luis Figo's controversial swap to Real Madrid in 2000 the most notable example.

Asensio recently switched his representative from Horacio Gaggioli to super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has strong links with Barca.

And SPORT claim the Catalan giants have held talks over signing him on a free.

As talks continue between Asensio and Real, Arsenal will be placed on red alert, with a number of clubs vying for his signature should he become available.

Topics: Arsenal, Marco Asensio, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Mikel Arteta, Xavi, Premier League, La Liga, Football, Transfers

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno