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Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer and have been attempting to secure the Brazilian's signature over the past month.
However, the Gunners have reportedly suffered a setback in their pursuit of Raphinha and now view Real Madrid's Marco Asensio as a viable alternative, according to a recent report in the Spanish media (via Team Talk).
Raphinha enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Leeds United in the Premier League last season and has attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. The 25-year-old winger is valued at a price of £65 million and is one of the brightest prospects in the English top flight.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano's recent update, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Leeds United for Raphinha's transfer. Arsenal are virtually out of the reckoning at the moment and will need to look for alternatives in the transfer market.
The Gunners need to sign a few more players to complete their squad revamp under Mikel Arteta and could do well to add Marco Asensio to their squad. The Real Madrid forward has improved over the past year and has only one year left on his contract with Los Blancos.
Arsenal considering Marco Asensio signing after completing Gabriel Jesus swoop
Arsenal have completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City and have taken massive strides towards completing their objectives in the transfer market. The Gunners were hampered by a lack of goalscoring threats towards the end of their Premier League campaign last season and consequently failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
With Raphinha closing in on an agreement with Chelsea, Mikel Arteta could view Marco Asensio as a possible alternative. The Real Madrid winger is unlikely to find a place in Carlo Ancelotti's place in the starting XI and could join the Gunners in a bid to boost his chances of going to the World Cup this year with the Spanish national team.
Asensio will reportedly cost Arsenal a fee of £34 million and is significantly more affordable than a move for Raphinha. Liverpool and AC Milan are also monitoring Asensio's situation at Real Madrid and could thwart the Gunners' ambitions in the coming weeks. The two clubs can also offer Champions League football to the Spaniard.
Mikel Arteta has improved Arsenal's squad to a considerable degree over the past month and will need to sustain his efforts throughout the summer to keep his side competitive in the Premier League. The Gunners are yet to achieve a top-four finish in the league since the 2015-16 season and will need to work hard to keep up with their rivals next season.
