Real Madrid ready to sell player once compared to Lionel Messi, Arsenal could sign him in cut-price deal

Real Madrid could sell Spain forward Marco Asensio in January, according to reports - with Arsenal placed on red alert.

Asensio featured for Spain at the World Cup, netting in their opening group stage 7-0 win over Costa Rica.

He then started the 1-1 draw against Germany, and the last 16 tie against Morocco which Luis Enrique's side lost in extra time.

It was a disappointing end to the World Cup for Spain, who were one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Asensio will now return to club football with Real Madrid, but it has been a relatively difficult season for the 26-year-old.

His first start of the season only came on October 25, a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

But he did start the 5-1 win over Celtic on matchday six, and got his name on the scoresheet. They are one of three goals he has scored this term in 15 appearances, along with three assists.

Now, it appears Los Blancos are set to sanction a January exit if acceptable bids come in for the forward, who was once compared to Lionel Messi by former manager Zinedine Zidane.

In 2017, when Asensio was 21, he told Madrid radio station COPE (via The Independent): "Zidane told me that, since Messi, he had never seen a left foot like mine."

Real Madrid to sell Asensio?

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim that Real could sell Asensio in the upcoming window, along with a host of other fringe players.

The 26-year-old has a contract at the Bernabeu until next summer, and has not yet agreed on new terms with the Spanish giants.

If a deal is not going to be concluded, it would therefore make sense for Real to cash in on the player in January, with his current Transfermarkt value standing at £21m.

Mundo Deportivo also claim that Arsenal are interested in the winger. However, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Gunners' transfer priority is Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

But with Arsenal keen to secure competition on either flank this January, it could be that Asensio is another option if they cannot convince Shakhtar to sell their prized asset.