Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward’s agent has had contact with Barcelona over summer move
Marco Asensio is one of several Real Madrid players whose contract expires at the end of the ongoing season. It has given way to continued speculations over the 27-year-old winger’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
While reports suggest that Real Madrid are certain about their intentions to renew the Spanish international, an agreement is yet to be reached.
And, according to SPORT, Barcelona are showing a keen interest in Asensio’s situation and have discussed the possibility of signing him with his agent, Jorge Mendes.
The 27-year-old Spaniard had teased a possible move to Camp Nou in the past, but was dismissed the rumours in a later interview. He has stated that he wishes to continue at Real Madrid beyond the current campaign.
However, an agreement over a new deal is yet to be reached, with the player and the club not on the same page when it comes to his wage demands.
And Barcelona are attentive to the situation and have spoken about a move for Asensio with his agent, Mendes.
The Portuguese representative has a strong relationship with Barça president Joan Laporta and is already helping them on the potential signing of Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And should Asensio do not renew with Real Madrid, Mendes could facilitate his move to Barcelona come summer.
As things stand, the report states that the former RCD Mallorca winger, who could have joined Barcelona in 2014, is yet to make a decision on his next move, even though he has insisted about wanting to remain at Real Madrid.
So, the possibility of a renewal is on the table, along with a move to Barcelona and even a transfer to the Premier League. Everything will depend on how the contract negotiations between the two parties proceed in the weeks to come.
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
