Sunday, 11th September, 2011
Arsenal are plotting a move for Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero when the transfer window reopens in January.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is an admirer of the 24-year-old Spaniard and has noted with interest is situation at the Bernabeu.
Granero, who is a product of Los Blancos’ youth academy and had a two-year spell with Getafe before returning "home" has slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.
The midfielder watched Real Madrid add Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop in the summer, while Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao could be used in the engine room Mourinho has confirmed.
And with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Kaka, Mesut Ozil, Sahin and Altintop all vying for spots in Real Madrid’s starting eleven, Granero’s chances of first team football look bleak.
According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Arsenal are planning to take advantage of the situation, well aware that by the time 2012 dawns the midfielder could be looking for the exit door in search of regular first team football.
Real Madrid would not be likely to stand in Granero’s way, though they could insist on a buy-back clause in any deal, similar to that which allowed them to bring the schemer back to the Bernabeu for just €4M in 2009.
Arsenal would have to pay substantially more than that to snap up the Spaniard however.
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