Transfer News: Marco Asensio snubs Arsenal and Liverpool to renew deal with Real Madrid

Marco Asensio is reportedly set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid, thereby snubbing interest from Arsenal and Liverpool over a summer move.

Spanish publication MARCA have reported that Arsenal and Liverpool have suffered a major blow in their bid to sign Marco Asensio in the summer transfer window, with the Spaniard set to put pen to paper on a new deal with Real Madrid that will also contain a staggering €350 million release clause.

2016/17 was the season in which Asensio finally managed to establish himself in the Real Madrid first-team setup, following two season-long loan spells at boyhood club Mallorca and Espanyol. And having enjoyed the confidence from Zinedine Zidane, the player showed promising sparks of his talent over the course of the recently concluded campaign.

Asensio made 38 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid in 2016/17 and had a respectable return to show for his efforts, finding the back of the net 10 times while also providing 4 assists. This also included the first and last goals that Los Blancos scored in their campaign.

The 21-year-old, though, is not one of the first names on the team sheet yet, leading several clubs to sniff around for a possible summer move. Of these, Arsenal and Liverpool were linked the most heavily with Asensio, with both clubs eager to make reinforcements in attack this summer.

Jurgen Klopp and the transfer committee at Liverpool were often chastised in recent months for their failure to address the glaring issue of depth in the senior squad in January, with the German manager having little to choose from beyond his favoured first team players.

In attack, Klopp has just Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane at his disposal for two positions on either flank, with the versatile, albeit ineffective Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana being their replacements. As a result, the Liverpool boss has been eyeing Asensio as a viable target to bolster his attacking options.

Meanwhile at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger’s need to strengthen his side’s attack stems from the uncertain futures of key figures, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both of whom have been linked with summer exit from the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger has, thus, set his sights on Asensio as a possible candidate to replace them in his side’s attack next season, should either player leave. However, the Premier League duo are now set to face disappointment in Asensio’s pursuit, with the Spain international set to renew terms with Real Madrid.

His current deal with Los Blancos still has more than five years left to run on it. And while the club’s hierarchy were in no rush to offer a second deal within a year, the new contract is a statement to potential suitors that the player is not on sale.

The report suggests that the new contract will expire in the summer of 2023, and will contain an astounding release clause worth €350 million, effectively making it impossible for any club to sign him unless Asensio himself agitates for a move.

Marco Asensio is reportedly set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid, thereby snubbing interest from Arsenal and Liverpool over a summer move.

Spanish publication MARCA have reported that Arsenal and Liverpool have suffered a major blow in their bid to sign Marco Asensio in the summer transfer window, with the Spaniard set to put pen to paper on a new deal with Real Madrid that will also contain a staggering €350 million release clause.

2016/17 was the season in which Asensio finally managed to establish himself in the Real Madrid first-team setup, following two season-long loan spells at boyhood club Mallorca and Espanyol. And having enjoyed the confidence from Zinedine Zidane, the player showed promising sparks of his talent over the course of the recently concluded campaign.

Asensio made 38 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid in 2016/17 and had a respectable return to show for his efforts, finding the back of the net 10 times while also providing 4 assists. This also included the first and last goals that Los Blancos scored in their campaign.

The 21-year-old, though, is not one of the first names on the team sheet yet, leading several clubs to sniff around for a possible summer move. Of these, Arsenal and Liverpool were linked the most heavily with Asensio, with both clubs eager to make reinforcements in attack this summer.

Jurgen Klopp and the transfer committee at Liverpool were often chastised in recent months for their failure to address the glaring issue of depth in the senior squad in January, with the German manager having little to choose from beyond his favoured first team players.

In attack, Klopp has just Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane at his disposal for two positions on either flank, with the versatile, albeit ineffective Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana being their replacements. As a result, the Liverpool boss has been eyeing Asensio as a viable target to bolster his attacking options.

Meanwhile at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger’s need to strengthen his side’s attack stems from the uncertain futures of key figures, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, both of whom have been linked with summer exit from the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger has, thus, set his sights on Asensio as a possible candidate to replace them in his side’s attack next season, should either player leave. However, the Premier League duo are now set to face disappointment in Asensio’s pursuit, with the Spain international set to renew terms with Real Madrid.

His current deal with Los Blancos still has more than five years left to run on it. And while the club’s hierarchy were in no rush to offer a second deal within a year, the new contract is a statement to potential suitors that the player is not on sale.

The report suggests that the new contract will expire in the summer of 2023, and will contain an astounding release clause worth €350 million, effectively making it impossible for any club to sign him unless Asensio himself agitates for a move.