This summer, Manchester United and Chelsea will compete to sign Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio.
Marco Asensio faces an uncertain future at Real Madrid this summer because his current contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, according to Diario SPORT (via Sport Witness). His desired wage demands are not being met by Real Madrid, despite their willingness to extend him a new deal.
Given that the European champions value Asensio at close to €40 million, it might open the door for him to depart the organization. The forward does not lack for suitors though; clubs interested in hiring him before the new season include Chelsea and Manchester United.
Having failed to sign a single marquee player, Manchester United has had a somewhat slow start to the transfer year. Frenkie de Jong is being discussed with Barcelona, but a deal has not yet been finalized. Nevertheless, Manchester United is keeping an eye on Asensio since they are aware that the Spaniard has a ton of experience and might make a good acquisition.
Asensio, a versatile winger who can play as a number ten if necessary, could in fact be the perfect alternative for Jesse Lingard. The Englishman’s contract at Old Trafford expired this summer, making him a free agent. Lingard might be heading back to West Ham, although Juan Mata and Paul Pogba both left Manchester United this summer.
Asensio’s acquisition might provide Manchester United’s creative team some new energy and relieve some of Bruno Fernandes’ workload. Chelsea, on the other hand, may offer tough resistance to Manchester United in their pursuit of the Real Madrid superstar.
As part of Thomas Tuchel’s massive renovation in the final third, Chelsea are likely to sign a number of offensive players in the summer, with rumors circulating about the future of Hakim Ziyech, who is a target for AC Milan among other big teams.
Given Saul Niguez’s troubles in the Premier League last year, Asensio might be an intriguing addition to the team, but Tuchel should think twice before making a move to sign the Real Madrid forward.
It won’t be shocking to see Real Madrid reduce their asking price for the Spanish international in the upcoming weeks given that he is in the final year of his contract. It will be intriguing to watch where Asensio goes this summer, especially with AC Milan apparently interested in signing the former RCD Mallorca starlet.
