Marco Asensio is set to leave longtime club Real Madrid at the end of the season. He will leave on a free as his contract expires this summer.
The Spanish winger, whose contract ends in the summer, was offered a financially good proposal to extend with Madrid. But he has now decided to leave after not getting enough game time this season.
This decision comes unexpectedly at the end of his best season in numbers. He has scored 12 goals and assisted six times. Despite having a good season, he has been benched consistently adding to his frustration.
🚨⚪️ Marco Asensio is on the verge of leaving Real Madrid as free agent. No agreement over new deal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 26, 2023
Asensio has turned down the last new deal bid, as revealed by @hugocerezo @relevo.
Final decision on future, soon.
Mendes, on it — Premier League clubs and PSG are informed. pic.twitter.com/VatDEV9QIS
The main reason for him finally leaving is he realizes he is not a guaranteed starter in the first-team lineup. Players like Rodrygo and Vini Jr command the wing, with Federico Valverde also playing there at times. Brahim Diaz is also expected to come back from AC Milan further limiting his options.
He wants more importance in the team and wants an even higher salary as well. Though the economic part is said to be not that impacting on his decision.
Where to next?
According to ESPN, the forward is in ‘advanced negotiations’ to join Paris Saint Germain this summer.
Asensio’s agent is Jorge Mendes who apparently shares a good relationship with Luis Campos, the sporting director of PSG. This has also been a key factor in the negotiations.
🚨| JUST IN: Marco Asensio in advanced talks with PSG. Aston Villa, Milan & Juve also attentive. @ESPNDeportes #rmalive pic.twitter.com/TTOG2kpsL5
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 26, 2023
PSG is planning a complete rebuild of the squad. Many players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr are expected to leave. PSG’s priority to replace Messi is actually Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. But the availability of a player like Asensio is also being considered.
As a free agent, he is an attractive option as PSG is also required to not spend much due to being under UEFA sanctions. Asensio is also only 27 and a proven player. This means they will get a player who can perform for at least 5 more years.
Further sources also report that Aston Villa, Juventus, and AC Milan are also highly interested in the player. But the offer from PSG is said to be the most attractive option for the player and is getting the most priority. PSG is also a club that regularly fights for the most important titles as well.
Marco Asensio at Real Madrid
Marco Asensio joined the Royal Whites in 2014 from another La Liga club Mallorca. He had two loan spells at Mallorca and Espanyol. Making his debut for the team in the UEFA Super Cup in 2016, he introduced himself by scoring a wonderful goal. He then gradually became a starter at times but still found it hard to break up the famous BBC trio of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In total, he has made over 285 appearances for the club. He has scored 61 goals and 32 assists and will be fondly remembered for producing the occasional thunderbolt at goal from a distance.
In his time at the club, he has won 17 trophies. Those include three La Liga titles, three Champions League titles, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, and a Copa Del Rey title.
Asensio still has one last game for Madrid before he says his goodbyes. He faces Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in the last game of the league season.
