Real Madrid News
Real Madrid winger wanted by Barcelona in a Bosman deal next summer – report
According to a surprising report from Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio has emerged as a transfer target for arch-rivals Barcelona next summer.
Asensio has less than a year left on his contract with Real Madrid and talks over a new deal broke down earlier this year due to his exorbitant wage demands. In the aftermath of negotiations falling through, the 26-year-old star tried to secure an exit from the club but to no avail.
Having stayed put at the Santiago Bernabeu, Asensio has been starved of game-time this season and has had to suffice with sporadic minutes every now and then as a substitute. However, he did manage to score his first goal of the season last week against RB Leipzig.
Fabrizio Romano earlier reported that some clubs were already starting to assess the possibility of signing the Spanish forward on a free transfer next year. And it seems that Barcelona have also now joined the list of interested parties.
The Blaugrana, as per the report, see Asensio as a mature player with still plenty of years left in his career and value him for his ability to play anywhere in attack and his tactical adaptability.
Even though he was not a regular under Carlo Ancelotti last season as well, the former Mallorca ace managed to bag ten goals in 31 league matches (19 starts), which Barcelona believe shows his quality to make a difference.
And, hence, they are keeping a close watch on Asensio’s situation, as the winger can start negotiations with other clubs over a free transfer next summer starting from January 2023 itself.
Asensio is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has a very good relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
The Spaniard remains on the radars of clubs like Liverpool, AC Milan and Arsenal, though, and it will certainly be intriguing to see whether this initial interest from Barcelona leads to something substantial come 2023.
Eden Hazard is one of the Real Madrid players who have vowed to stay at Santiago Bernabeu until the end of his contract. His current deal at the club expires in 2024.
Even though the Real Madrid star has been courted by several MLS and even the Saudi Arabian clubs, the forward has shown no desire to leave Bernabeu just yet. He wants to stay at the club even though Los Blancos are ready to sanction his sale this summer.
In the midst of this drama, a fresh report from Alfredo Matilla suggests Real Madrid are now considering terminating the contract of Eden Hazard.
This comes shortly after a report which claimed that a Real Madrid player who is not out of contract this summer, may shockingly leave the club this summer. Ferland Mendy was a potential candidate, but it appears Hazard has not been ruled out either.
The Belgian international has offered very little since joining from Chelsea in 2019 for a record-breaking €115 million fee. His spell at the Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, while the player has also struggled to impress when given the opportunities.
Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, there is both grief and resentment towards Belgian, who has remained steadfast in his decision to stay at the club. He has a good standing in the team due to his professionalism, but the Real Madrid bosses are determined to get rid of him this summer.
Hazard, after all, is the highest-paid player in the squad and his departure could open up a chunk of the space in the salary mass. But it must be noted that Real Madrid would have to spend a fortune to terminate Hazard’s contract.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos end up splashing the cash in order to get Hazard out of their books this coming summer.
