Liverpool and Newcastle United target Marco Asensio has now decided to stay at Real Madrid this summer.
Asensio was reportedly set to depart the Santiago Bernabeu in this window as he entered the final 12 months of his contract.
After having started just 23 of his 42 appearances across all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign, the attacking midfielder was hoping to get away from the Spanish capital.
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He is keen to receive more regular game time ahead of the winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
However, according to AS, the Spanish international is now opting to remain in Madrid this summer.
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With Kylian Mbappe electing to stay at Paris Saint-Germain instead of completing a blockbuster move to Los Blancos, as well as a vote of confidence from manager Carlo Ancelotti and several stars leaving the club already, Asensio has decided to stay with the La Liga champions for at least the next year.
The 26-year-old believes the departures of the likes of Isco, Gareth Bale and Luka Jovic will provide him with increased opportunities to play next season.
Ancelotti has also publicly insisted that he will play an important role in the squad in the upcoming campaign after he managed 12 goals last term.
Asensio believes a season of substantial game time at one of Europe’s biggest clubs will lead to several lucrative contract offers next summer as he’ll be available on a free transfer.
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This leaves the likes of Newcastle and Liverpool in limbo, both of whom had been very keen on acquiring the 28-time capped Spaniard.
While Eddie Howe was interested in making Asensio the new star and figurehead of his side, Jurgen Klopp was looking to bolster his attacking options with the addition of the player.
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With the likes of Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi all departing the Merseyside club this summer, Liverpool have been left somewhat light in the forward areas, despite the acquisition of Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
It’s understood that Klopp felt Asensio was the perfect potential option to compete with his current array of attackers.
However, this u-turn now makes the deal unlikely.
Topics: Liverpool, Real Madrid, Marco Asensio