Arsenal face Marco Asensio ‘complication’ as battle for midfielder ‘intensifies’

Arsenal’s season remains on pause as the 2022 FIFA World Cup plays out in Qatar.

The Gunners have enjoyed a superb season so far, sitting top of the Premier League and with a healthy five-point cushion as things stand. Mikel Arteta’s men are looking like title contenders, but they will need to pick up where they left off when they do return after Christmas. In the meantime, Arteta and Edu will be lining up potential transfer targets ahead of the January window, with the Gunners needing to add depth in a couple of areas.

With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Asensio complication

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, but there is a problem.

Arteta is said to be a big fan of the Spain winger, who is on course to be out of contract at Real Madrid at the end of this season, but Defensa Central say Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has no interest in losing the winger. Despite the fact Asensio could leave for free at the end of the season, it’s claimed Ancelotti has asked the Real Madrid board not to sell him under any circumstances in January.

If Arsenal can’t get a deal done to sign Asensio this winter, they could move to agree a pre-contract agreement ahead of the summer instead.

Tielemans blow

Arsenal are said to have lost ground in the race to sign Leicester City star Youri Tielemans, according to journalist Paul Brown.

“They like this player. He’s going to command quite a lot of interest in the summer because of his contract situation,” Brown told GiveMeSport. “There may be other clubs that are ahead of Arsenal in the queue now, I think there will be quite a few who come in for him.

“I think Tielemans is a great player I think he’d fit really well at Arsenal, but certainly, his representatives know that there is still interest there from the Gunners.”

Tielemans is another of those who are out of contract at the end of this season.