Aston Villa
Premier League • England
Real Madrid star drops hint over future as Arsenal and Aston Villa consider lucrative contract offer
Both Arsenal and Aston Villa have been linked with a move for a Real Madrid star and could look to offer him a lucrative contract this summer.
The prospect of joining either Arsenal or Aston Villa is an exciting one for any player right now. Mikel Arteta has his young squad challenging for the Premier League and it looks as if the only way is up.
Elsewhere, Unai Emery has got things heading in the right direction at Villa Park. Since his arrival in November last year, Aston Villa have shot up the Premier League table.
Both sides have been linked with a move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio. Arsenal’s interest in the 27-year-old dates back a few transfer windows.
Aston Villa have been the latest club to throw their hat in the ring for the winger. With the prospect of European football next year, Emery wants to take his squad to the next level.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it’s easy to see why so many clubs are interested.
“Honestly, I don’t know what will happen. I have not thought about it or weighed it up. I can’t give an answer right now,” Asensio told beIN Sports (via Birmingham Live).
“The speculation is normal. From July, I am free to sign for another club. A lot more will come out. I am in a world where there are a lot of rumours and I can’t control that.”
Asensio would be a great signing for Aston Villa
Aston Villa are heading in the right direction under Emery and a signing like Asensio would be a real statement of intent.
The 27-year-old has a wealth of experience and has won 16 trophies with Real Madrid, including three Champions Leagues.
The playmaker still has plenty to offer and has had some starring moments in La Liga this season. In total, the winger has made 46 appearances this season in all competitions.
While plenty of his minutes have come from the bench, he has still chipped in with plenty of goals and assists.
In La Liga this season he has scored eight goals and provided six assists. Impressively, he has averaged a goal contribution every 88 minutes in the league this year.
Arsenal seem to have moved on to other targets such as Raphinha and Moussa Diaby, which could give Aston Villa the green light to go for Asensio.
Reports have even suggested that Villa are willing to double his wage from €4m to €8m per year which would be a huge incentive to move.
Aston Villa currently sit eighth in the Premier League and whether they qualify for European football could influence who they are able to sign in the summer.
A new deal for the 27-year-old at Real Madrid still isn’t completely out of the picture, but it seems as if he is keeping his options open right now.