Newcastle have had a quieter summer than many anticipated, but they’re ready to accelerate their business by pursuing Arsenal and Liverpool target Marco Asensio.
That’s according to Sport who claim Newcastle could sign Asensio from Real Madrid for as little £21 million.
Asensio is reportedly looking for a way out of Real Madrid this summer, refusing to sign a contract extension with the Spanish capital club.
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His current deal expires this summer, so if an adequate offer arrives for the Spaniard, Real will in all likelihood cash in.
Asensio has been with Real Madrid for 6 years now, but has only started more than 20 games in a La Liga season once since his move from RCD Mallorca.
He wants to be a more important player for his club, hence his reluctance to sign a new deal. Newcastle could be just the place for him to earn the appreciation he desires.
At Liverpool, he’d likely fulfil a similar role to the one he does at Real.
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Playing sporadically and never nailing down a guaranteed starting spot.
Similarly at Arsenal, there’s no clear pathway into the starting line-up for Asensio.
He’d arrive at the Emirates as a useful squad option.
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At Newcastle however, he would be given something of a superstar role.
That’s not to say the Magpies don’t already have some quality attacking talent.
The likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Ryan Fraser, and Miguel Almiron enjoyed strong form under Eddie Howe after the English manager’s November 2021 arrival.
But Asensio would add that different level of quality.
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He’d be to Newcastle’s attack what Sven Botman will be to their defence. A game changer.
So, Asensio does have something of a decision on his hands.
Does he bottle up his pride, make the move to an exciting project at Newcastle, and give up European football for at least a season?
Or will he carry on fighting for a move to a bigger club this summer?
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One suspects the former would be the wiser.
Topics: Marco Asensio, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours
Robert Worthington