Arsenal are considering a move for young Real Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente, according to Spanish outlet Don Balon.
The youngster is currently on loan with Liga side Alaves with Zinedine Zidane keen for the 21-year-old to gain regular first-team football this season.
The Frenchman is also hoping he remains at the Bernabeu to provide competition in central midfield with Casemiro, who is currently out injured with a broken leg. Madrid have already confirmed they will not be recalling Llorente to cover the injured Brazilian.
However, Arsene Wenger is reportedly weighing up a move for the highly-rated youngster who has impressed so far this season with Alaves currently 12th in the table.
Wenger views Llorente as a natural defensive midfielder who could fill what has often been described as a problem position for the club.
The Gunners boss also believes Llorente could be tempted away from the Bernabeu with a lucrative contract, his current deal at Real Madrid expires in 2018.
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Certainly Arsenal are not lacking for central midfielders particularly following the arrivals of Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka although Llorente, could perhaps be viewed as a potential replacement for Santi Cazorla who will turn 32 in December and is in the last year of his current deal.
However, Real Madrid’s transfer embargo suggests they may be unwilling to let players depart, particularly if Llorente continues to impress during his loan spell with Alaves.
Arsenal’s interest comes as something of a surprise as they are well-stocked in central midfield but the opportunity to lure a talent away from Real Madrid is perhaps not one to be missed.
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