Marco Asensio is willing to quit Real Madrid this summer if Carlo Ancelotti and president Fiorentino Perez cannot offer the Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target two key assurances.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who note the Spaniard has reached a crossroad with his Santiago Bernabeu future. The winger will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season, and is now considering whether it is time to embark on a new challenge or not.
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Asensio is happy at Los Blancos and would be content staying at the Spanish capital side as he feels Ancelotti’s backing. But the 26-year-old will want the Italian’s guarantee that he will remain a key player next season following the likely arrival of Kylian Mbappe from PSG.
Mbappe’s projected switch in a free summer transfer worries Asensio, who wants to know where he will stand in Ancelotti’s plans. The 26-cap international has featured regularly so far this season with 33 appearances. But he has only started 18, with 14 in La Liga to date.
Additionally, Asensio is still waiting to learn if Galacticos president Perez is willing to meet his salary demands. The playmaker is requesting a pay rise from his current €9m-a-season (£147k-a/w) gross wage. And without those guarantees, he will turn down a new contract.
Real Madrid will gladly place Asensio on their transfer list without a new contract as he will command a market, with Arsenal, Liverpool and AC Milan fans. It is not unquestionable the Serie A side and Los Blancos debate his situation at an upcoming summit over Brahim Diaz.
Arsenal, Liverpool target Asensio could quit Real Madrid with Mbappe arrival
AC Milan and Real Madrid will sit down at the end of the season to discuss Brahim’s future after two years on loan. Per Calciomercato, the Rossoneri are eager to bring forward their option to buy from 2023, but hope to reduce the clause from the agreed €22m (£18.5m).
The San Siro hierarchy also hope to use the meeting as a chance to discuss other stars set to leave Los Blancos this summer. Which may be a blow for Arsenal and Liverpool, as Sport also cite their interest whilst noting Real Madrid are reluctant to improve Asensio’s salary.
Asensio – who ex-Spain boss Vicente del Bosque deems ‘world-class’ – is likewise against renewing at his current wage, as offered. He believes he deserves more after seven years, 226 appearances, 47 goals, 23 assists across all competitions and 12 titles with the club.
Now, if Ancelotti cannot guarantee Asensio he will be featuring – and featuring regularly – next season even if Mbappe joins, the Arsenal and Liverpool target may quit Real Madrid.
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