Arsenal have made an approach for Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio, according to Mundiario.com. Despite the January transfer window only recently being closed, the Spanish website claims the Gunners have registered their interest in the 23-year-old and are willing to pay €50m (£42m) to sign the player.

Asensio has been out with a knee injury since being injured against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly back in July. He has been slowly building up his fitness with many expecting him to return to the first-team fold over the coming weeks.

There are, however, doubts whether he will get a lot of game time under manager Zinedine Zidane in the second half of the season.

Asensio struggled for form last campaign, and if he can’t recover his position in the side between now and the summer, there is the prospect of Real cashing in on him.

A lot rests on the player, though, with Mundiario stating it “depends on him” whether he accepts the Gunners’ proposal or not. Head coach Mikel Arteta is reportedly “delighted” with the prospect of signing the winger, but it may be wise to treat this rumour with some scepticism considering the source.