KEY POINTS

  • Marco Asensio has been at Real Madrid since 2014
  • Asensio has not started a single game this season
  • Real Madrid are set to take on Barcelona on Sunday

Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Real Madrid attacking midfielder Marco Asensio.

The player has entered the final year of his contract with Real Madrid. Asensio, who also plays as a right winger, has fallen down the pecking order at Los Blancos. Either Manchester United or FC Barcelona will likely be his next destination, reported Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes. However, International Business Times could not verify it independently.

The current market value of Asensio is around $35 million, according to Transfermakrt. However, it looks unlikely that Real Madrid would offer an extension to Asensio. He will become a free agent and will be allowed to discuss offers with other clubs from Jan. 1.

After starting off his soccer career at Mallorca, Asensio moved to Real Madrid in 2014. He was considered a top talent in the beginning days of his Real Madrid career. However, he fell out of favor over the last couple of seasons due to fitness and form issues.

Even in the ongoing La Liga campaign, Asensio featured in just four games, while he was an unused substitute in the remaining four games. He is yet to start a league game for Real Madrid having made seven appearances for the side across competitions.

Over the years, Asensio has scored 50 goals and provided 24 assists in 242 competitive games for Real Madrid. He has helped the Santiago Bernabeu side win many trophies, including three La Liga titles and as many Champions League trophies.

Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde scored Real Madrid's goals against RB Leipzig
AFP

Apart from Asensio, Real Madrid are also believed to be looking to offload the likes of Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz ahead of the next transfer window. They are targeting Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven to fill the void in their attack, according to The Athletic. Manchester United were heavily linked with Gakpo in the summer before they completed a deal for Antony from Ajax.

The 23-year-old has had a flying start to the 2022-23 season, scoring 13 goals and assisting 10 in 16 appearances for Eindhoven in all competitions.

Real Madrid's next fixture is against Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday. After this, Los Blancos are scheduled to host El Classico rivals Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.