Arsenal are reportedly in the running to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, with the player facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital.

What's the word?

As per the Mirror, the Gunners have emerged as one of the clubs who are 'monitoring' developments regarding the 26-year-old, with the player currently having just a year remaining on his existing deal.

The report suggests that Madrid are set to demand an answer regarding the Spaniard's future by June 20, having offered the player a contract extension, although there is a 'belief' that the former Mallorca man is keen to leave on a free next summer.

As for the north Londoners, they have contracted the player's representatives to ascertain what his demands are, with the report suggesting that the £36m-rated gem's primary concern is game time, with the lack of Champions League football 'not a deal breaker'.

Cazorla 2.0

While the Emirates outfit are likely to face intense competition in their bid to pluck the 26-cap international from the European champions, news of their interest will no doubt generate huge excitement among the club's support.

The "special" talent - as he has been dubbed by Joey Barton - has played a prominent role for Los Blancos since joining the club in 2016, going on to net 49 goals and register 24 assists in 235 games in all competitions since then, winning a host of major honours in that time.

Although the £117k-per-week ace has struggled to truly establish himself as a regular starter of late - hence his potential desire to depart - he still managed to score an impressive ten La Liga goals last term for the eventual title winners in just 19 starts.

A skilful, fleet-footed talent who has the ability to feature all across the front three and in an attacking midfield role, Asensio has the versatility and quality needed to be a success in Mikel Arteta's side, having also been previously dubbed a "genius" by one journalist.

That word was so often attributed to another Spaniard to have adorned the red jersey, with the Madrid man potentially set to follow in the footsteps of a real club icon in Santi Cazorla.

Like Asensio, the diminutive playmaker was comfortable in a variety of attacking positions, dazzling the home support with his creative nous and seemingly unique ability to deliver wicked set-piece deliveries with both feet.

Signed from Malaga in 2012 for what proved to be a bargain fee of just £15m, the midfield maestro went on to spend six years with the Gunners, chipping in with 29 goals and 44 assists in 179 games in all competitions.

Beyond the statistics, however, the now 37-year-old was - and still is - a simply joyful player to watch with the ball at his feet, combining delicate artistry with a lethal finishing technique, epitomised by that stunning free-kick against Hull City in the FA Cup final in 2014.

Although possessing a somewhat different physique, Asensio has a similarly agile and instinctive way of playing, with a move to England likely set to allow him to truly showcase just how much of a talent he is.

Arteta knows first-hand how good his former teammate - Cazorla - was, he can't pass up the chance to sign his heir apparent.

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