Manager admits no talks with Arsenal and Liverpool target as he closes in on becoming free agent

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Carlo Ancelotti has praised Marco Asensio amid claims Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing the winger.

Real Madrid were in action on Wednesday night as they travelled to take on Elche in La Liga.

This was unsurprisingly a comfortable win for Real, who took an early lead through Federico Valverde.

Karim Benzema added number two before substitute Marco Asensio wrapped it up for 3-0 late on.

Top of the league and now six points clear of Barcelona after beating them over the weekend, Real are going well right now.

Carlo Ancelotti has praised Marco Asensio

This was a great moment for Asensio, who has been having a difficult season.

Asensio is a name known around the world but he hasn’t been in Carlo Ancelotti’s immediate plans this season.

The 26-year-old hasn’t yet started a game in La Liga or the Champions League this term.

Across 10 substitute appearances in those competition, Asensio has played just 115 minutes.

It feels like Asensio is on the outside looking in at Real Madrid and that is only sparking rumours about a departure.

Calciomercato reported in September that agent Jorge Mendes is looking to find Asensio a new club.

Two clubs mentioned in the race were Arsenal and Liverpool with Mendes making contact around Europe to establish interest.

Arsenal would no doubt love another winger but with Bukayo Saka starring, Asensio wouldn’t walk into the Gunners side when he needs football.

It’s a similar story at Liverpool though injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota of late may have sparked the Reds into targeting another wide man.

Asensio is out of contract next summer so he could sign a pre-contract agreement in January or be available in a cut-price deal.

Real boss Ancelotti has now told Diario AS that he trusts Asensio and he will have more playing time in the near future.

Ancelotti did though state that there have been no discussions about a new contract, only adding to the belief that Asensio will end up leaving Real.

“We haven’t talked about contract issues because Marco is a player I trust,” said Ancelotti. “He has played very little, but he always shows me things and with the few minutes I give him, he does well. He will have more minutes in the future. After the World Cup we will talk about his contractual situation,” he added.