Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward on Barcelona radar as replacement for Ousmane Dembele
According to a report from ARA, Barcelona are considering a move for Marco Asensio. The Real Madrid attacker has emerged as a shocking target for the Catalans, who are, on an even more surprising note, are mulling over the sale of Ousmane Dembele.
Dembele has been by far one of Barcelona’s top performers since the turn of the year. He has looked in a different vein of form under Xavi Hernandez and his performances have been critical in helping Barcelona enjoy an excellent start to the campaign.
However, with the Frenchman’s contract expiring in 2024, Barça are considering offloading the winger in the upcoming January transfer window. The club believe it could help them fetch an excellent price, especially given the form the player is in currently.
Moreover, Dembele’s agents believe a move away from Camp Nou might be the best possible trajectory for the player’s career. With that in mind, Barcelona have started their search for a replacement, with Asensio emerging as one of the potential options.
Asensio, who currently plies his trade for Real Madrid, has endured a rapid fall from grace over the past couple of years. Constant injuries and a lack of form have seen him trail behind in the pecking order, especially after Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo’s rapid rise to prominence.
It has led to speculations over Asensio’s future at the club, with the attacker’s current contract at Santiago Bernabeu expiring at the end of the season.
It makes the Spaniard an ideal target for Barcelona, who rate the Real Madrid star highly due to his vast experience at the highest level of football. The Catalans are even expected to make a move for the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for Dembele next season.
However, the transfer is entirely reliant on the fate of the Frenchman, who is enjoying life in Barcelona at the moment and is willing to do everything he can to restore the club’s lost glory. Real Madrid, for their part, would certainly prefer the Spaniard to move elsewhere, rather than becoming a key part of the strikeforce of their arch-rivals.
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
