Manchester United target Marco Asensio 'set to leave Real Madrid' on a free transfer this summer

Marco Asensio is set to leave Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer, according to a new report, with Manchester United having been linked with a move for the forward.

Asensio joined Real in the summer of 2014, and has gone on to score 37 goals in 190 appearances for the club.

He found game time hard to come by at the beginning of the current campaign, but has featured more prominently as of late as Los Blancos fought on two fronts in La Liga and the Champions League.

However, the 27-year-old is set to depart the Bernabeu as a free agent at the end of his contract after negotiations over a new deal broke down, report The Athletic.

In January, United were linked with a move for Asensio, with Spanish outlet Defensa Central claiming they had turned their attentions to the Spanish forward after their failure to sign Cody Gakpo.

A move did not materialise during that window, but manager Erik ten Hag will now be placed on red alert to potentially swoop for the Spaniard this time around.

Asensio 'set to leave Real Madrid'

The Athletic claim that Asensio had been in talks since the beginning of 2023 over a new contract at the Bernabeu, with an offer on the table to continue his stay with Carlo Ancelotti's side.

However, it is reported that the forward has turned down the proposal, and informed staff at the club's training ground. The report adds that Asensio wanted a more prominent role in the team.

The Spaniard has also been linked with a move to Aston Villa, who could yet secure Europa Conference League football for next season under Unai Emery. The Birmingham Mail claim Villa hold a 'concrete interest' in signing Asensio on a free transfer.

Speaking about the player's future in February, Real boss Ancelotti said (quotes via Goal): "He looks good to me, I don't know if he will stay or not.

"He may or may not stay, I don't know. I don't care much. We have a very important challenge this season. The important thing is that he is contributing, like last year. Let him continue like this, and the club will make the most appropriate decision."