Barcelona and Manchester United are reportedly plotting a move to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio.
The 26-year-old has spent the last seven years with Los Blancos, but he now faces an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu as he has less than 12 months remaining on his contract.
Asensio was left frustrated with Carlo Ancelotti last weekend as the Italian coach decided to leave the winger on the substitutes' bench for their 4-1 La Liga win over Mallorca.
The Spain international is yet to start for Real Madrid this season and has played for only 17 minutes across two substitute appearances.
Ancelotti admitted towards the end of the summer transfer window that Asensio was looking to leave the club, telling Relevo: "Marco is looking at things to see if he can leave. If he doesn't leave, he will 100% be a Madrid player. I don't know anything new about Asensio, he is evaluating his situation."
© Reuters
According to El Chiringuito TV, via Caught Offside, both Barcelona and Man United are planning to make a move for Asensio when the transfer window re-opens in the New Year.
Asensio, who is at risk of leaving Real Madrid for free next summer, would be able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January onwards.
Barca have emerged as a surprise destination for Asensio, who would become the first player since Javier Saviola in 2007 to move directly from Real Madrid to the Catalan giants should he decide to move to Camp Nou.
Even though Xavi's side are embroiled in financial turmoil, they were still able to sign seven new players over the summer, spending in excess of £130m, and they continue to be linked with bolstering their squad further.
Barca already have plenty of attacking options at their disposal, with Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Ferran Torres, Raphinha and Memphis Depay all competing with each other for a place in the first XI alongside central striker and summer signing Robert Lewandowski.
© Reuters
As for Man United, Erik ten Hag was able to recruit six fresh faces over the summer, with the £85m addition of Ajax attacker Antony the standout piece of business by the Red Devils.
It is thought that Ten Hag is keen to bolster his squad further in the next two transfer windows as he looks to put his stamp on the first-team at Old Trafford.
The potential addition of Asensio for either a cut-price fee in January or as a free agent next summer could be regarded as a shewed acquisition by United, who forked out over £200m in the most recent window.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2014, Asensio has recorded 49 goals and 24 assists in 237 appearances for the club across all competitions, and he has won a total of 15 trophies including three La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues.
Oliver Thomas
