Rumour: Arsenal eye Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro as Mikel Arteta replacement

Casemiro

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly keen on a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, report the Mirror.

The north Londoners have sent scouts to Spain to watch the 22-year-old in action on several occasions throughout the season and are keen on either a permanent or temporary loan deal for the youngster.

The central midfielder joined Los Blancos from Sao Paulo for £5 million in 2013 but has failed to nail down a regular starting berth in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

With a wealth of talent ahead of him in the pecking order for the La Liga giants, he has attracted attention from several European outfits, including Internazionale, along with the Gunners.

Many Madrid youngsters are offered temporary moves away from the Bernabeu in order to gain regular football and Casemiro would undoubtedly benefit from a stint in the Premier League under Wenger’s tutelage.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman is also keen to rekindle his interest in Alvaro Morata, with the Spain under-21 prospect valued at around the £12 million mark.

However, if a potential loan deal for either Madrid player came to fruition, Wenger’s criticism of the current loan market would be devalued as the Emirates outfit would also be benefiting from a marginalised player from a bigger club in the same way Everton have, albeit from a foreign league.

Casemiro has made just nine appearances for Real Madrid in La Liga this season – all of which have come as a substitute.