Arsenal transfer news: Gunners to make second bid for Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio in January

Marco Asensio
(Image credit: PA)

Arsenal will try to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio for a second time when the January transfer window opens, according to reports.

Cadena Ser (via the Sun) claim the Gunners had a £34 million bid for the Spaniard rejected this summer, because Carlo Ancelotti wanted him to stay and play a key role for the Merengues.  

But the Star reports that Arsenal have not given up hope of signing the 25-year-old and will return to the table in January.

Asensio started the season on the bench but broke into the team in La Liga recently, scoring a hat-trick against Mallorca on his first start of the season last week.

He was an unused substitute for the Spaniards’ humiliating 2-1 Champions League loss to Moldovan minnows Sheriff on Tuesday. 

Arsenal certainly aren’t being shy with the chequebook at the moment, after splashing out a club record £142m over the summer on new players, including Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard. 

The latter came from Real Madrid, and having such a recent successful negotiation could help the north London club in their efforts to seal a deal for Asensio.

The Spain international was tipped for great things as a youngster but tore his ACL in a pre-season game against the Gunners in the summer of 2019, ruling him out for most of the season, before returning to score seven goals in 48 games last term.

Asensio enters the final year of his contract next summer, giving Arsenal a good negotiating position, and Mikel Arteta could use the promise of regular starts to tempt the youngster as he looks to get back into the Spain squad.

The winger was left out of Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad and hasn’t featured for his country since November 2020, so he could be tempted to change things up at club level with the 2022 World Cup just over a year away.

Subscribe to FourFourTwo today and get three issues delivered for just £3. The offer ends October 17, 2021.

NOW READ

QUIZ! Can you name Manchester City's top 50 most expensive signings?

EUROPE Champions League groups ranked by difficulty

FEATURE How does Erling Haaland's goalscoring record compare to that of Messi, Ronaldo Lewandowski and Mbappe at the same age?

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.

Read more
Arsenal target Nico Williams
Arsenal 'ready' to trigger Nico Williams' release clause, following talks: report
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: William Saliba of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on October 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Real Madrid given green light to sign William Saliba from Arsenal: report
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during a training session at London Colney on July 03, 2023 in St Albans, England.
Arsenal ready to OVERPAY release clause to secure 'priority' signing: report
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England.
Arsenal have agreed SECOND deal of the summer, ahead of club accepting bid 'without hesitation': report
Mikel Arteta is aiming for success at the Emirates
Arsenal pushing for 'delusional' transfer, following Kai Havertz blow: report
Latest in Transfers
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report