Liverpool are set to be frustrated in their attempts to sign Marco Asensio from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
The Spain international, 26, was part of the Madrid squad which defeated the Reds in the Champions League final last month to cap a memorable season for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The success came within a month of Los Blancos securing their 35th La Liga title with four rounds of action remaining as they cantered to the success.
Despite their triumphs, the clear-out at Real Madrid has already begun this summer as they look to trim down their squad. Gareth Bale has left the Spanish and European champions upon the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his nine-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Former club captain Marcelo has said his goodbyes to the club after it was confirmed he was leaving this summer at the end of his contract. Isco has also left the club, while Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic are other forwards who may be moved on.
Asensio is another player whose situation at Real Madrid is complicated as his contract in the Spanish capital expires next year and he is not a guaranteed starter in Ancelotti’s side. According to Diario AS, Jurgen Klopp is interested in bringing Asensio to Anfield and the Reds have already informed the player’s representatives of their interest. However, Diario Sport states that the forward is not keen on a move to the Reds.
It is said that Asensio’s main issue at Real Madrid is the fact that he is not a guaranteed first-team regular and this would also be the case at Anfield – where he would be competing for a starting place alongside Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. The report adds that Italian club Milan are a more likely destination due to this.
Earlier this season, he admitted that he was less than happy with his lack of continuity at the club. He then gave an update on his future this month in which he admitted he wanted to play more and that this was an “important moment for an important decision” over his future.
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Asensio subsequently said : "I have one year left on my contract and I have three possibilities, after the international break we will talk." The three future options to which he refers are the following: renew his contract, stay at Real Madrid until the summer of 2023 and then leave for free at the end of the contract or seek an exit this summer for a fee.
Asensio joined Madrid in 2014 but spent his first two seasons at the club on loan spells at Mallorca and Espanyol, meaning that he was not a member of the first-team squad in Ancelotti’s first spell in the dugout.
He was somewhat of a young prodigy at Madrid and he bagged double figures for goals in his first two full seasons with the club between 2016 and 2018. He suffered a dip in form the following campaign before suffering a LCL knee ligament injury in summer 2019, ruling him out of action for a year.
