The agents of a Real Madrid star on Arsenal and Liverpool’s radar will land in England this week, and one source has claimed talks over a summer switch will take place.
The future of Marco Asensio is a topic that surfaces in each and every transfer window. The Spain international, 27, is perennially linked with a move to the Premier League, though come the summer, he may finally be on the move.
The frontman’s current contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire at season’s end. Given he’s entered the final six months of his deal, he’s now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs.
Asensio operates primarily on the right wing, though has seen his game-time ravaged of late.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti generally favours either Rodrygo or Federico Valverde in the role. The end result has seen Asensio limited to just five LaLiga starts this term.
Four of those starts have actually come since the World Cup. However, according to multiple reports, Asensio’s future could still lay elsewhere.
Firstly, the Mirror report Asensio’s agents will fly to England this week as they explore potential summer moves to the Premier League.
Arsenal talks planned
The newspaper specifically namecheck Arsenal and it’s claimed the player’s representatives ‘are planning to talk to’ to the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta is termed a ‘fan’ of Asensio who would provide competition for Bukayo Saka on the right side if signed.
Asensio also has bundles of Champions League experience unlike the vast bulk of Arsenal’s current squad. That could come in handy next season when the Gunners grace Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign.
The Mirror add Asensio will seek a pay rise on his reported £118,000-a-week salary. However, Spanish outlet Marca suggest finances won’t be Asensio’s primary motivation.
Via the Express, they report Asensio wishes to ‘feel important’, something he’s not experienced at Real of late given his demotion down the pecking order.
The Express also namecheck Liverpool who have regularly been linked with Asensio in the past. However, the Reds recently added Cody Gakpo to an already-packed forward line and they have far more pressing issues in midfield to address.
Jurgen Klopp can already call upon Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo for the left wing, Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino at centre-forward, and Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott for the right side. Diogo Jota can play anywhere, and that’s before we even get to Fabio Carvalho.
In any case, the possibility Asensio simply pens a contract extension at the Bernabeu is also alive.
He has a fan in club president Florentino Perez and Ancelotti has used him more frequently of late. However, if he sticks to his guns over demanding a pay-rise, Real may make the decision to sever ties for him.
The Express note a decision one way or another on Asensio’s future is expected by the end of February. The planned talks with Arsenal for later this week may yet have a major say on the player’s future.
As a potential free agent, Asensio won’t lack for suitors. The absence of a transfer fee will also embolden many clubs to take a punt on a player who still has plenty left to give.
Asensio’s record at Real stands at 53 goals and 29 assists in 261 matches.