Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly told the Real Madrid board to not let Marco Asensio leave in January, with Liverpool interested in signing the Spanish international in 2023.
According to Defensa Central, the Italian manager is keen to keep Asensio at the Bernabeu beyond the January transfer window, with the report stating that an agreement over a contract extension is close to being reached between Madrid and the 26-year-old.
Liverpool have been recently linked with Asensio as reported by the Sunday Mirror, with Jurgen Klopp keen to battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal for the Mallorca-born superstar’s signature. However, it now appears that any sort of January move will soon be off the table.
Although the winger has hardly featured for Madrid this season, Asensio has shown a lot in patches that the attacker could play a role for the Spanish giants for many years to come, with the forward a three-time UEFA Champions League winner with the club.
Indeed, Liverpool were also going to be ambitious and slightly out of their depth in their attempt to sign Asensio in January. And it makes sense why Ancelotti has taken it upon himself to ensure that the winger remains in the Spanish capital well beyond the winter window.
After all, the playmaker has been part of the Madrid furniture for what feels like forever, and whilst Asensio has the potential to become a true superstar at another club, remaining with Real feels like a good decision for the 26-year-old even with interest from the likes of Liverpool.
Asensio leaving Madrid would have been a poor career move
Interest has been in Asensio ever since the winger’s contract crept into its final 12 months. Yet there’s little question that the attacker will be making a good decision remaining in Spain with contract talks set to come to a satisfying conclusion in the coming days.
Whilst Liverpool would have been an interesting move, it would have been a transfer that would have benefitted neither the player or club given how little the Reds need a player like Asensio, who would be better off remaining at Madrid and fighting for his spot.
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