Barcelona eye Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio: report

Getty

Marco Asensio is linked with a move to Barca.

Barcelona famously missed out on signing Marco Asensio in 2014 for just €4.5m and saw the talented striker leave Real Mallorca for Real Madrid instead.

However, Barcelona don’t seem to have lost interest in the forward and are keeping an eye on his current situation. Asensio is out of contract in 2023 and could leave the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer.

The Catalans are ‘very attentive’ to his situation and value his talent and versatility, as reported Mundo Deportivo. Barca also feel that he still has ‘a long career ahead of him’ as he is only 26 years old.

Asensio is currently struggling for minutes at Real Madrid and is behind the likes of attackers Karim Benzema, Fede Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in the pecking order.

The forward has already revealed his frustration this season. Asensio was spotted kicking a cooler and throwing a water bottle after failing to come on in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Real Mallorca.

Barcelona could also be helped as Asensio’s agent Jorge Mendes has a good relationship with club president Joan Laporta.

follow that Heavy on the Barcelona Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rightHumor and content!

How Barca missed Asensio

Barcelona were “ahead” of fierce rivals Real Madrid in the race to sign 21-year-old Asensio in 2014 and had struck a deal, as reported by Goalis Ignasi Oliva. The striker “wanted to move” and had even been in Barcelona looking for a flat.

The Catalans had agreed a €4.5m deal but wanted to pay in two installments. Real Mallorca wanted the fee to be paid in full, giving Los Blancos a chance to snatch the youngster away from their big rivals.

Madrid struck a deal that saw Asensio finish the season with Real Mallorca and then move to the Bernabeu for just €3.9m. The forward’s agent Horacio Gaggioli has confirmed that Barca refused to pay the full amount up front Bleacher report.

“Barca said: ‘No, we can’t.’ They missed the opportunity,” he explained. “When they changed their mind after three months, it was too late.”

Asensio has won the league three times with Real Madrid and won the Champions League three times during his time at the club.

READ MORE: Barcelona’s ‘Mini Messi’ beats Ansu Fati goalscoring record