Barcelona 'in talks' to sign Real Madrid star for first time since 1996

The two giants of Spanish football, Barcelona and Real Madrid don't often do too much direct business with one another.

The most notable example of when they did is of course Luis Figo's controversial switch from Barca to Real back in 2000 leading to a pig's head being hurled at him as he took a corner at the Nou Camp.

But there's talk that Marco Asensio could do a Figo with the roles reversed in a transfer that would cause a huge stir.

The Spain international's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu is due to expire in the summer and he has been unable to agree a new deal.

Asensio is reportedly not satisfied with the reduced terms offered by Real, with his demands much higher than what president Florentino Perez is willing to offer.

The 27-year-old, who recently changed his representative from Horacio Gaggioli to super-agent Jorge Mendes and his Gestifute agency, is able to negotiate with other clubs.

Mendes has strong links with Barca and SPORT say the Blaugrana have held talks over signing him on a free.

Image: Alamy

Barca are especially keen because Asensio wouldn't command a transfer fee and is in the prime of his career.

If he was to move from one side of El Clasico, it would be the first time a first-team player has gone from Real to Barca since Luis Enrique in 1996.

It also happened way back in history with Jose Canal and Lucien Muller.

Asensio was said to be "one step away" from signing for Barca when he was a youngster at RCD Mallorca.

Barca didn't want to pay the asking price though and Real swooped in to sign him for a fee of €3.9 million in 2014, with tennis legend Rafa Nadal said to be instrumental in the deal happening.

Image: Alamy

He's since gone on to win three La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues. Asensio has scored once and assisted three goals for Los Blancos in 12 games in La Liga this term.

He hit headlines in September for angrily reacting to Carlo Ancelotti electing against bringing him on against Mallorca.

Asked about his future recently, Asensio said: "The only thing I think about is Real Madrid, I'm happy there, but in the future you never know what can happen."