Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio has indicated that he could be forced to consider a move to Arsenal or Liverpool should Zinedine Zidane fail to guarantee him regular first-team opportunities
Marco Asensio has caught the eye of the European elite this term through some stellar performances for Los Blancos in La Liga and the Champions League. However, the midfielder could be forcing a move out to the Premier League if Zinedine Zidane can’t guarantee him regular appearances in the starting XI, according to Diario Gol.
Title favourites Real Madrid have already had the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool contact them about the player’s transfer in the summer.
While they have rejected advances so far, it will be difficult for Real to hold on to a player who is fast approaching his prime with a team that may not be able to guarantee the first team appearances he needs to chart that growth.
In 35 games for Zidane’s side, Asensio has 9 goals and 4 assists to his credit. His performances at club level earned him a call-up to the national team where he has made two appearances so far.
The midfielder often likened to that of David Silva, Asensio has indicated his desire to play regularly with the first team and is seemingly unsatisfied with the tally he has accrued this season after featuring regularly on-loan with Mallorca and Espanyol in the last two seasons.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are breeding a lot of young talent at the club and are in need of a winger with Asensio’s ability to compliment the likes of Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho up top.
A similar requirement needs to be met at the Emirates as Arsene Wenger is keen on adding some much needed creativity to take the load off the shoulders of star player Alexis Sanchez. Although, apart from expressing interest, there hasn’t been a recorded attempt yet from the Gunners to force a summer transfer for the player.
However, Liverpool’s German boss has made his interest known loud and clear to bring Asensio to the Premier League with a club record £42 million offer made that was rejected by the club.
Liverpool have been far from impressive in the absence of Mane this season and have lacked the edge in attack that the Senegal forward so effortlessly brought to their game. Pace and creativity are both an asset of Asensio and that is precisely why the Reds are after the Real Madrid man.
In addition to that, the 21-year-old’s close control and passing range has impressed the Bernabeu faithful. Quite often he has performed better than Welsh superstar Gareth Bale, the man who’s preferred over the youngster.
That however hasn’t altered the pecking order in Zidane’s mind as he firmly sticks to the likes of Ronaldo and Bale in terms of preference.
There are of course many conflicting reports regarding where the player’s loyalties will lie in the summer but that by no means brings any settlement to the debate. The player, according to Don Balon, has even been reported to have warded off interest from the likes of Bayern Munich in-order to stay at Real.
The fact though remains that Asensio is clearly on the look-out for greater first team opportunities and could end up making a significant decision this summer, whether that keeps him at the Bernabeu or not.
Zidane has a host of stars in his ranks and it will be interesting to see how he handles the demand of a player like Asensio – a talent he most certainly wouldn’t like to lose out on.
