Arsenal round-up: Madrid starlet linked; Chamberlain stand-off not money-related; Koscielny pledges future to the club

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Marco Asensio is one of the best young talents in the world and he is already starting to establish himself at Real Madrid. However, until he is a first team regular at the Bernabeu, there will be clubs sniffing around and prepared to offer him a lot of money to leave the La Liga champions.

Don Balon report that Arsenal, Manchester United and Juventus are interested in the midfielder, with all three prepared to make an incredible offer to win the services of the 21-year-old. A move this summer is unlikely, but if the Spaniard isn’t given the opportunities that he wants, there could be a chance to sign him at a later date.

Arsenal don’t have Champions League football and many thought that would be a disadvantage, but they are showing no signs of settling for their current position. The level of targets that they are pursuing should encourage supporters that the club are doing all they can to once again challenge for major honours.

It would be a huge surprise if they were to sign Asensio, but it is good to know that they are looking at him considering the talent he possesses. Alexis Sanchez’s future remains uncertain and if he does leave, a player like Asensio could be the perfect long-term replacement.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another Gunners’ player that is facing an uncertain future, but he insists that his contract stand-off is nothing to do with money. The Mirror report that he is ready to quit the club this summer after turning down two new contract offers.

The reason for that is ambition rather than the midfielder wanting to earn more money elsewhere. He is at the stage of his career where he wants to push himself and he isn’t certain if Arsenal is the best place for that.

This is a worrying story for the club, as one of their most talented players is seeking a move elsewhere for footballing reasons. It suggests that Oxlade-Chamberlain doesn’t believe he will fulfil his potential at Arsenal.

The problem seems to be based on his lack of playing time and the injuries he has picked up, which shows a lack of faith in both the coaching and the medical teams. If he does feel this way, the club need to sell, as it would be damaging to lose him on a free transfer in 12 months time.

Finally, Laurent Koscielny has pledged his future to Arsenal, despite being linked to several European clubs during this transfer window. The centre-back has been targeted by Bayern Munich in the past, while Marseille have made a move for him this summer. However, the French international insists that there is no reason why he would leave the Gunners. He was quoted in the Standard as saying:

“When I first got here, I didn’t think about how long I would stay at this club  – but now I am starting my eighth season so I am very happy with this,” 

“I am happy in my life every day, not just the football but my life with my wife and kids in London. We enjoy it, that’s why I have stayed for a long time here.”

During a period in which several notable players are uncertain of their futures at the Emirates Stadium, it is great to see one of the team’s most important defenders commit their future to the club.

Koscielny has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best defenders in recent years and it is crucial that Arsenal keep hold of him this summer. The comments about London are particularly noteworthy as it underlines a geographical advantage that they have over several of their rivals.