Liverpool ready to wreck Arsenal plan for Real Madrid signing who’d replace one of two major names
Liverpool are showing ‘genuine interest’ in completing an eye-catching Real Madrid coup at Arsenal’s expense, and Fabrizio Romano has weighed in with the latest on the ongoing talks.
The Reds will be faced with a difficult decision over the summer after news broke last week Roberto Firmino will depart at season’s end.
The veteran Brazilian, 31, will leave as a free agent and whether a replacement will be signed is not yet known.
Jurgen Klopp can already call upon a seven-strong list of forwards outside of Firmino including Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.
However, speculation Jota too could make way emerged on Wednesday. Football Transfers reported Liverpool could reluctantly cash in on the Portuguese amid fears his standing within the team has fallen.
A £62m bid would reportedly be enough to seal a deal and Newcastle are understood to be showing an interest.
In the event Firmino and Jota both departed, Liverpool would all but certainly be in the market for a new frontman. Even if it’s only Firmino that goes, a free agent move for Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio could be too good to ignore.
Liverpool to battle Arsenal for Asensio
The 27-year-old Spain international is out of contract in the summer. Asensio can operate anywhere across the frontline, though is at his best on the right wing. As such, he could be viewed as a high-class back-up to Salah who will begin to see his minutes managed as he ages.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with moving for Asensio too. Indeed, Spanish outlet Sport recently reported the Gunners are prepared to table a contract offer in the event Asensio doesn’t sign fresh terms with Real.
But it’s Liverpool who are drawing the most recent links, with Football Transfers terming their interest ‘genuine’.
Adding further fuel to the fire is their claim Asensio has a big fan in Jurgen Klopp’s assistant manager, Pep Lijnders.
The fact Asensio would also be available at no cost is another big plus. His arrival would not detract from Liverpool’s main priority in the summer – a central midfield overhaul.
Of course, an Asensio move to England depends entirely on whether he signs an extension at the Bernabeu.
On that front, Fabrizio Romano reported talks between Real and their forward are ongoing, though stressed a final decision is yet to be made.
Romano also confirmed Asensio’s agent has previously spoken with “English clubs”, though stopped short of naming who.
“Talks continue between Real Madrid and Marco Asensio,” wrote Romano for Caught Offside. “There’s no final decision yet, despite some speculation to the contrary.
“His agent already spoke with English clubs last summer, but it’s Asensio who has to decide: new deal or leave on a free.”
