Newcastle United supporters were stunned when reports in Spain named Tyneside as a possible destination for Real Madrid sensation Marco Asensio. Outlet AS claim the Magpies are preparing a £20million bid for the 26-year-old - a reduced fee as his contract expires next summer.
ChronicleLive understands no formal offer has been made yet but Horacio Gaggioli - the player’s agent - is flirting with a move to the Premier League. Reaction to Asensio possibly becoming a Toon player is overwhelmingly positive from supporters, with most in disbelief a Real Madrid player could leave to join Newcastle.
That possibility is a far cry from where United were one year ago under the previous regime. Should Asensio sign, it would lay down a marker to the rest of the division that Newcastle mean business. ChronicleLive has profiled the Madrid star to analyse what fans could expect next season.
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Background
Asensio was born in Palma, Majorca, a destination many Toon fans may have visited on their holidays. He could have represented the Netherlands through his Dutch-born mother but opted to play for Spain, which he has done so at every level from U16 upwards.
Asensio starred for his country in 2015, winning the U19 Euros to emerge as one of the continent’s brightest prospects. Local side Mallorca scouted Asensio from a young age and he made his first-team debut at 17-years-old in 2013.
After one season as a professional, it became clear his talents had surpassed the mid-table La Liga outfit and Real Madrid came calling, albeit loaning him back for a year. Asensio has since made 235 appearances for Los Blancos and amassed 28 caps for Spain, playing alongside and being coached by some of the world’s best.
Achievements
Unsurprisingly, Asensio has an illustrious trophy cabinet that puts Newcastle’s as a whole to shame. Three Champions Leagues, three La Ligas and a plethora of Super Cups earned the Galactico a coveted array of medals most footballers could only dream of.
In 2017, Asensio delivered the final blow in stoppage time as Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the Champions League final. Having a player who has been there and done it all would add serious value to the United dressing room.
Playing style
While credited as a winger, Asensio is not a wideman in the traditional “get down the line and whip it in” sense. Instead of pace, the Spaniard relies on guile and skill to bamboozle defenders.
The 26-year-old is effectively a playmaker who plays on the right flank for Real Madrid. He has, at times, been used as a number 10 which is probably his more natural position.
At six-feet tall, Asensio is no lightweight - an attribute that could serve him well in the Premier League. His left foot has been the culprit for many Laurent Robert-esque wondergoals in Spain - he rarely ever scores tap-ins.
If you get a moment, it is worthwhile checking his portfolio of screamers on YouTube to sample what St James’ Park could witness next season.
Where would he fit in?
Eddie Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 system is the same formation Carlo Ancelotti adopts at Real Madrid. Asensio plays on the right while Vinicius Junior, the quicker, more flamboyant winger, plays on the left - akin to how he could link with Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle.
As mentioned, the only question is whether he has the pace to play on the flank in England. A more possession-based culture in Spain allows Asensio to get away with his one notable flaw.
Similar Spanish stars such as Davis Silva have graced the Premier League and done well out wide and through the middle - proving it can be done. If not, the number 10 role behind Callum Wilson would be tailor-made for Asensio.
Signing a player of Asensio’s calibre would no doubt electrify the fanbase. A man who has rubbed shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo, won multiple major honours and is in the prime of his career would be a statement of intent from the Saudi-backed regime.
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