Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle United leave rivals in shadows and make bid for Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio Spain June 2022

Newcastle United have reportedly made an opening offer of around £20m for Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio.

The Geordies are believed to have held an interest in the player all summer, but according to reports have now made their move.

Ekrem Konur says Newcastle have made a £20m bid for the 26-year-old. But Real Madrid want more and are understood to be chasing a deal worth £25m.

The 26-year-old will be out of contract in 2023 and Real have had to adjust his asking price because of his expiring deal.

Asensio does have a staggering €700m release clause in his current contract. That was inserted from the six-year deal he penned in 2017.

But the Palma-born player has not lived up to his buyout clause billing. He scored 12 goals and registered two assists in 42 appearances in all competitions last season, but he has not developed into the superstar Real thought.

A parting of the ways looks distinctly possible this summer. Asensio has certainly not demanded a transfer, but there has been no new contract forthcoming from Madrid 

Last month Asensio told AS: “I have one more year on my contract yet here we are talking about me leaving Real Madrid. This is an important moment for me, I will not deny it.

Asensio signing would be a coup

“I am more mature and not only on the field, this is an important moment and I will have to make important decisions. Me and my family know that I have to keep growing and moving forward. I want to achieve important things in football and they help me do that.”

Both Liverpool and AC Milan have been linked with a move for the Spain star. But Newcastle have taken the lead in proceedings with Fichajes also claiming Newcastle have tabled an offer for the player.

The Liverpool Echo insist that Asensio to Anfield is “a non-starter”. While Newcastle are in a better financial situation to finances a move for Asensio than Milan.

The arrival of Asensio would be Newcastle owners PIF’s biggest signing to date. Sven Botman has already arrived for around £35m this summer, but a deal for Asensio, although not as expensive, would be a bigger coup.

The former Mallorca man has over 200 appearances to his name for Real, including 49 games in the Champions League.

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