Real Madrid News
Out-of-favour Real Madrid forward in line for a rare start against Getafe
With Real Madrid unwilling to hand Marco Asensio a contract renewal due to his reported high wage demands, he has been on the periphery of things this season.
So much so that the Spanish international has played a mere 46 minutes in La Liga for Los Blancos so far in 2022/23. In the Champions League as well, the former Mallorca winger has registered a measly 27 minutes.
However, it has been revealed that the 26-year-old could be handed a brand-new deal in the summer. As per the latest information provided by MARCA, Asensio could start against Getafe in Real Madrid’s upcoming league fixture.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to rest Karim Benzema for the game against Getafe, with the superstar striker not named in the squad for the clash. It would see Rodrygo Goes occupy a central role, having done well in the position in the recent past.
So, the right-wing spot would have been vacant, and Ancelotti seems to be willing to offer Asensio a starting berth.
While Federico Valverde has excelled when deployed as a right winger, he could be utilised in the middle of the park again, so as to keep the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric fresh for El Clasico next week.
A busy October period for Real Madrid means the club cannot afford to get any more injuries, having already lost Dani Ceballos recently.
As a result, it may finally be Asensio’s time to shine on Saturday in attack. Whether he makes the most of his opportunity remains to be seen.
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.
