Barcelona are reportedly willing to shell out €80 million to sensationally sign Marco Asensio from Real Madrid this summer.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Barcelona are set to test the waters for Marco Asensio and are looking to activate the €80 million release clause to sign the Real Madrid attacker. The player has attracted interest from a host of top clubs across Europe.
Asensio finally made his big break in the Real Madrid first-team setup this past season, two years after making his way to Santiago Bernabeu from boyhood club Mallorca. The player provided a good indication of his talents in the previous campaign, playing a key role in Zinedine Zidane’s side.
In all, Asensio made 38 appearances across all competitions for Los Blancos last season, with a decent return of 10 goals and 4 assists to show for his efforts. The 21-year-old then followed the promising club campaign with a solid showing in the European under-21 Championship, playing a pivotal role for Spain as they finished runners-up.
The Spaniard, though, is not one of the first names on the team sheet at the Bernabeu, yet, prompting several clubs to sniff around for a possible summer move. The latest club to emerge in his pursuit are Barcelona, who are ready to sensationally launch the offensive for the player.
The Catalan club have endured a tough time in the current transfer window, struggling to land their primary targets while also losing star player Neymar to PSG. The Brazilian’s departure has set them back considerably, with Ernesto Valverde short of quality options up front to link up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
While Barcelona have brought Gerard Deulofeu back to Camp Nou this summer, he is likely to be a squad player in the forthcoming season. Apart from the Spaniard, Valverde also has Arda Turan and Paco Alcacer as possible replacements from within the squad.
But the duo have often flattered to deceive during their time at Camp Nou, thus, accentuating the need to sign a quality attacking player. While a move for Ousmane Dembele is reportedly in the offing as well, Asensio’s addition will add further value to Valverde’s attacking unit.
Therefore, they have turned their attention towards signing the player, after missing out on his signature two years ago, when Real Madrid landed him.
Barcelona are, thus, ready to pay his €80 million release clause, although Real Madrid are set to give the player reassurances that he’ll have a bigger role this season. Furthermore, they have also tabled a new deal to him that will see his release clause plummet to an eye watering €350 million.
It now remains to be seen if Barcelona are able to land the player, or if Real Madrid manage to keep hold of the talented youngster.
