In many ways it would be the coup of the summer.
Of course Neymar’s record-smashing transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain remains the biggest story of the transfer window, and Ousmane Dembélé’s switch from Borussia Dortmund to Barca for €105m to replace the Brazilian also dwarves most other deals, but this would arguably be more mind-boggling than even those two monster deals.
Marco Asensio is the currently one of the hottest prospects in world football, and is quickly emerging as a jewel in Real Madrid’s fearsome crown. Cristiano Ronaldo may still rule the roost at the Bernabeu, but the 21-year-old Spaniard is expected to replace CR7 as the Merengues‘ poster boy once the Portuguese calls it a day for the European champions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVLLeJhrLI
But according to reports in Spain, Arsene Wenger is plotting an audacious move to snatch him from the Spanish giants. Despite his sensational talent, Asensio is still not a guaranteed starter with the likes of Isco and Gareth Bale ahead of him in the pecking order. Wenger would promise the youngster first team football and a starring role in his side.
Diario Gol report that Asensio’s current buyout clause is ‘only’ £72m – which is a pittance compared to the respective clauses of his La Liga peers. It would certainly be affordable to Arsenal, who may be forced to offload wantaway talisman Alexis Sanchez for a similar amount. In fact, the report goes on to suggest that Real are suitably ‘shook’ by the interest.
They plan to undertake ’emergency talks’ with Asensio in order to agree a new contract and bump up that very affordable buyout amount. There is no reason to suggest the former Mallorca ace is unhappy in Madrid, but until he puts pen to paper on a new deal, anything is possible.
