former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman feels Marco Asensio would be better suited to a move to Arsenal.

McManaman believes Real Madrid star Marco Asensio would be better off joining Arsenal over Liverpool if he was to leave the Spanish capital in the summer.

According to reports from Spain, the Gunners and Liverpool are leading contenders to rescue Asensio from his Real Madrid nightmare, where he has now regressed into a bit-part player.

"Marco Asensio hasn't played enough at Real Madrid," McManaman told Horseracing.net.

"His reputation was probably better two years ago when he first came onto the scene and scored a bunch of lovely goals, in the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017 in Cardiff and in the Super Cup, a lovely goal, against Barcelona.

"But since then he's had injuries and of course Real Madrid aren't the team that they were four years ago, and his level has come off.

"If (he was to move to) a club next year I'd say it would be Arsenal. Aubameyang's coming to the end of his career – or he's certainly into his thirties – and with Lacazette in a similar position and coming to the end of his contract, Asensio could be at a club where he'd probably have more joy of playing.

"If he's to leave in 18 months, it's still a long, long way away. But I think he's an Arsenal type of player, like an [Martin] Odegaard, who's good on the ball, not necessarily really quick, but turns well, scores goals and makes chances."