Real Madrid News
Ancelotti blocked Real Madrid forward’s exit despite four big clubs interested
Real Madrid’s Supercopa win over Athletic Bilbao won them their first silverware of the season but came at a cost. Marco Asensio suffered a muscular injury during the very next training session and was ruled out for three weeks at least.
It was a big blow for Ancelotti’s plans as the forward had been in red hot form for the team. Though Asensio does not offer much in terms of building up, his ability to score goals out of nothing is an asset for the manager.
It only took 17 days for the Spanish international to return to action. Against Granada, he played the entire 90 minutes and recorded six shots on target. Moreover, it was his otherworldly strike that won his team the game.
According to reports from Diario AS (h/t theMadridZone), four clubs tried to sign Asensio last summer, but Ancelotti stopped his departure immediately because he wanted the youngster to be part of his setup.
Now, the 26-year-old has an advantage over other wingers in the team. AS report that he will now be a consistent and undisputed name in the team’s lineups.
In 18 league appearances this season, the former Mallorca man has scored six goals for Los Blancos. Moreover, he has created a big chance and averages one key pass every 90 minutes.
The worrying aspect of his game has been his inconsistency. While he comes up clutch on certain nights, most of his performances this season have been poor in terms of involvement in the game.
With Villarreal and PSG up next, Asensio will have to up his game to stay involved in the team dynamics.
Stats via Transfermarkt
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
