Liverpool have reportedly registered their interest in Marco Asensio, and have submitted a formal €180 million bid to Real Madrid for the Spaniard.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Marco Asensio is the subject of interest from Liverpool, who are having to identify possible alternatives to Nabil Fekir. The Reds have, in fact, lodged a €180 million bid to Real Madrid to sign the Spaniard in the summer transfer window.
Asensio has the world at his feet at 22, having become a key part of the Real Madrid first-team setup over the last couple of seasons. This past season, he made 53 appearances for Los Blancos as they defended their UEFA Champions League crown against Liverpool for the second successive year.
But, the fact that half of his appearances came from the bench has led to reports that Asensio is somewhat disillusioned at Real Madrid and is seeking assurances over regular game time. In the meantime, there have been suggestions that he could be up for grabs for the very same reason, although it remains to be seen how his role changes under Julen Lopetegui.
Liverpool though, are one club that seem to be taking their chances in pursuit of Asensio as they look to bolster their attack this summer. The Reds have, thus far, been predominantly linked with a move for Nabil Fekir, although a few complications have arisen in their bid to sign the Frenchman of late.
To add to their woes, the competition for Fekir is increasing by the day, with Real Madrid now being linked with him as well. Liverpool are, therefore, keeping their options open in the transfer market, with Asensio certainly a viable target for them.
Jurgen Klopp has very little quality in attack beyond the first-choice trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, with Dominic Solanke still very much a rookie. The Liverpool boss has thus, been in the market for an attacking reinforcement who couldn’t just be an option beyond the trio, but also to complement them in the starting lineup.
Asensio, with his ability to play in wide areas as well as in an advanced midfield role equally adeptly, is just the sort of player who could add a new dynamic to the Liverpool first-team setup, if their pursuit of Fekir becomes dead and buried.
The Reds are ready to shatter their transfer record to sign Asensio as well, having submitted a €180 million bid to Real Madrid for the player. Liverpool’s bid is a long way off the Spaniard’s €700 million release clause in the contract that he signed last year.
However, the offer is a statement of intent from Liverpool, who want to enter negotiations with Real Madrid for the 22-year-old. Los Blancos, meanwhile, are studying the offer and weighing up a sale, although it is believed that Lopetegui will be against the idea of selling a player he values very highly.
The deal, for all intents and purposes, looks like a tough one for Liverpool to secure, although it will be interesting to see if they can persuade Real Madrid to sell Asensio. But, the player could just be a backup to Fekir, whose pursuit hasn’t been ended just yet by the Reds.
