AC Milan could reportedly end their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, whose wages might prove excessive for the Serie A giants.
According to a report by Italian publication Tuttosport, AC Milan might not end up pursuing Marco Asensio in the summer transfer window. The Serie A giants are unlikely to be able to afford the Real Madrid winger’s €5.5 million-a-year wages, while Los Blancos’ asking price is unclear.
Marco Asensio has endured a frustrating three-year period, as he has suffered from a long-term knee injury before going in and out of the starting lineup following his return from the layoff. That said, the 26-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign despite some initial struggles.
The Spanish international has a solid tally of eight goals in 24 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid thus far. But the Merengues are in a spot of bother over Asensio’s long-term future, as he has a little over a year left on his current contract, with a renewal nowhere in sight. Such a situation has captured the attention of AC Milan.
The Serie A giants will likely enter the market for a winger in the summer transfer window, with Samu Castillejo’s stint at San Siro poised to end. The Spaniard’s departure will leave Junior Messias and Alexis Saelemaekers as the only right-wingers at Stefano Pioli’s disposal, meaning there will be a serious lack of quality on the right flank.
Asensio has thus emerged as a viable target for AC Milan, with the Real Madrid winger reportedly open to moving to Italy to secure regular game-time. Recent reports have also claimed that the Serie A giants are preparing to offer €20 million to prise the Spanish international away from Real Madrid.
But Asensio’s wages have become a major stumbling block, with AC Milan contemplating ending the pursuit of the 26-year-old as a result. The Rossoneri cannot afford his €5.5 million-a-year salary, especially with Paolo Maldini imposing a cap on the pay packages at AC Milan.
The report also suggests that Real Madrid’s asking price is unclear, which also puts AC Milan at unease. So, it is increasingly unlikely that Asensio will join the Serie A heavyweights in the summer transfer window, meaning he will have to seek an alternate solution to secure regular game-time.