Real Madrid News
Arsenal lead Manchester United in race for €28 million-rated Real Madrid star
With less than a week left in the summer transfer window, Marco Asensio’s future at Real Madrid continues to be unresolved.
The 26-year-old winger is in the final year of his contract with the Spanish heavyweights and has so far refused to ink a new deal.
It has led to Real Madrid deciding to offload him and while there have been plenty of speculations about the clubs interested in him, but no concrete approaches have been made as of yet.
However, that could change in the last few days of the window, as Arsenal and Manchester United have firmed up their interest in Asensio and are ready to make their moves for the Real Madrid attacker.
This claim comes from the Mirror, who state that Arsenal are currently leading Manchester United in the race to sign the 26-year-old Spanish international.
As per the report, a representative from Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute agency, which represents Asensio, is already on standby in London to speed up negotiations with Arsenal in case the deal receives the go-ahead from all parties.
Arsenal are in the market for a new wide forward after letting Nicolas Pepe leave on loan. Asensio has been linked with a move to the Emirates on and off all through the summer, but things could pick up pace in the coming days.
Manchester United are also keen on him, although they view him only as an alternative for AFC Ajax winger Antony, who remains their primary transfer target.
Real Madrid are ready to part ways with Asensio and are demanding around €28 million (£23.5 million) for his services. Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed earlier today that the Spaniard will be sold if a good offer arrives, saying:
“I don’t know anything new about Asensio, if there are good options for him and for the club, it can be evaluated.”
The stars seem to be aligned for Asensio to leave Real Madrid in the next few days. Whether he ends up at Arsenal or Manchester United remains to be seen.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
