Erik ten Hag wants Man Utd to sign Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio this summer while Arsenal are also in the race, according to reports.
The 26-year-old only made 19 starts in La Liga this season, scoring ten goals in the process, as he was consigned to the bench on 12 occasions.
He made a further ten appearances in all competitions, contributing two goals and two assists, but there are now rumours that he could be looking for a bigger role elsewhere despite winning the Champions League at Real.
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Asensio moved to the Bernabeu in 2014 from Mallorca in a €3.9m deal and has made 235 appearances in all competitions over six campaigns.
The former Espanyol loanee has been linked with numerous Premier League clubs over the last few years but a recent report insisted that Man Utd are now ‘in the lead’ this summer.
And Mundo Deportivo have now revealed that new permanent Man Utd boss Ten Hag would ‘welcome’ the signing of Asensio this summer and reckons the Spain international would fit into ‘his revolution’ to overhaul a ‘stagnant squad’ at Old Trafford.
It is understood that Man Utd have ‘already initiated the first contacts’ to Asensio’s agent, Jorge Mendes, with his new representative ‘listening to offers for him’.
But the Red Devils are unlikely to be alone in the race to sign the Real Madrid attacker with the Daily Mirror insisting that Arsenal are also firmly in the battle for his signature.
The Gunners have decided to explore the transfer and ‘are one of several clubs now monitoring’ Asensio’s situation at Real Madrid.
His future should ‘be resolved next week with Real chiefs wanting an answer from him by June 20’ after they offered him a contract extension to remain at the Bernabeu.
However, it’s unlikely that Asensio will sign it as they are ‘not matching the player’s demands’ meaning Real will attempt to sell him this summer as they are reluctant to lose him for nothing in 12 months’ time.
The Daily Mirror add that the Gunners’ failure to qualify for the Champions League ‘is not ideal for the Spaniard although not a deal-breaker’.
It is also claimed that Asensio ‘wants guarantees from his suitors that he would get regular game time before he makes any decision’, something which Arsenal will be able to offer him.
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