Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the progress of Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente with a view of making a move for the talented youngster.
Llorente is currently on loan at Alaves, but is highly-rated by many in Spain and will undoubtedly be enjoying playing regular football having made six appearances in La Liga so far this season.
According to Don Balon though, his long-term future may not be in the Spanish capital with the Gunners said to be hoping to tempt him to England with a lucrative contract.
It’s claimed that the figures Arsenal would be able to offer in any possible deal would make it difficult for Real to convince the youngster to stay at the risk of upsetting more senior players if he is given a bigger salary, even though he still has a contract that runs until 2018.
Nevertheless, the La Liga giants have earmarked Llorente as competition for Casemiro’s place in the starting line-up next season, and will continue to watch him develop and mature during his loan spell with Alaves.
It’s also questionable as to whether Arsenal really need another midfielder with so much competition for places in that department already in Arsene Wenger’s current squad, but the report claims that they could be set to make their move at the end of the season.
Llorente has made two league appearances for Real previously and has represented Spain at U19 and U21 level, but time will tell as to whether or not he’ll be moving to north London next year with Arsenal seemingly keen to take advantage of his uncertain situation in Madrid.