Manchester United are reportedly set to pay £177m to secure the signing of Real Madrid starlet Marco Asensio, according to Spanish rumour publication Don Balon.
The 21-year-old has seen stock risen rapidly to the top of European football following his £3m move to Real Madrid in 2015. Asensio has notched 56 appearances for the European and La Liga champions, netting 17 goals followed by six brilliant assists.
¡Ya en Málaga! ?? pic.twitter.com/b4j1GegCJX
— Marco Asensio (@marcoasensio10) November 10, 2017
Asensio’s incredible performances for Spain in the U21 European Championship during the the summer helped rise him to the top, whilst also continuing his superb performances in both legs of the Supercopa de España against Barcelona at the beginning of the season.
It is no surprise to see him attract interest from across Europe, with many fans believe that Asensio is one of the most promising players in the world.
However, it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid will welcome the idea of losing their most important young players to leave the Santiago Bernabéu so early in his career, no matter how tempting the £461k-a-week contract that United are prepared to offer will be.
There is a great deal of importance for Madrid to bring through another Spanish players at the club and although Asensio’s first-team spot is far from being set in stone, Asensio’s versatility has been of huge importance to Zinedine Zidane’s side already this season.
The ex-Espanyol loanee has been played in four different positions this season, often finding the most joy on either wing.
However, the young Spaniard can also be used as an attacking midfielder or a second striker and the La Liga giants are unlikely to allow him to leave the Spanish capital anytime soon.