Exploring Potential Summer Destinations for Real Madrid Forward Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio has enjoyed a glittering career at Real Madrid, winning three Champions League crowns in addition to three La Liga titles.

But life in the Spanish capital hasn't been all plain sailing for Asensio. The young Mallorcan has struggled to command a regular place in the side and was also sidelined for most of the 2019/20 season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

The 27-year-old has been an integral player under Carlo Ancelotti during 2022/23, especially in the latter part of the season. But despite notching 12 goals in all competitions, the speculation is rife that Asensio could be moving on when his contract expires this summer.

Sports Brief takes a look at potential destinations for Asensio if he leaves the Spanish capital.

Paris Saint-Germain

One of Asensio's most likely destinations is Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, who are primed for a makeover up front as they prepare for life after Lionel Messi.

Messi aside, PSG still boast two of the biggest names in world football, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. They remain laser-focused on conquering Europe and winning a maiden Champions League crown. Asensio has experience doing that, which is something that PSG may consider while they weigh up whether to offer the Spaniard a contract or not.

Asensio has never played a starring role at Real, but he's a supremely gifted footballer that has scored some crucial goals when the pressure is on.

Whether he fits into their current Christophe Galtier-led system is another matter, but according to RMC, the coach may not even be in the Parc des Princes dugout come next season.

Aston Villa

One of the Premier League's surprise packages this term, Aston Villa are eyeing ambitious summer transfer targets as they look to provide Unai Emery with the ammunition he needs to push on.

Aston Villa have recently shifted their transfer policy and have since switched to signing big-name players, including Philippe Coutinho and Diego Carlos.

With Emery in charge, Aston Villa have the ability to attract a calibre of player that was previously unattainable, and Asensio may be lured by the opportunity of playing in the Premier League under the Spaniard.

According to reports from Birmingham Live, Unai Emery has already spoken to the forward over a call.

Arsenal

Arsenal's desire to strengthen their squad is clear. You only need to listen to the words of manager, Mikel Arteta and sporting director, Edu to understand that.

90min understands that signing a new right winger to complement Bukayo Saka is high on the club's priority list, and they have been linked with bringing Asensio to the Emirates Stadium.

There is interest, given the possibility of signing a top-class international for free, but there's no guarantee the switch would provide Asensio with the minutes he craves.

Nonetheless, his arrival could release Saka to play in-field alongside Martin Odegaard, allowing Arteta the option to evolve his side and flex his formations depending on the calibre of the opponent being faced.

Al Arsenal there would also be the chance for Asensio to work under one of the Premier League's brightest young coaches.

Barcelona

Luis Figo, Ronaldo, Luis Enrique, Javier Saviola, and Michael Laudrup all have one extremely rare thing in common: playing for both Real Madrid and fierce rivals Barcelona.

The Catalan giants have plenty of irons in the fire this summer- primarily looking to lure Lionel Messi back to the club from Paris Saint-Germain. But the idea of Asensio drifting across to Camp Nou is one that was floated towards the back end of 2022, with the Spaniard doing little to dampen the speculation.

Indeed, and as reported by Goal, Asensio actually stoked the fire and discussed the possibility of joining Barcelona in the summer, only to retract his comments and claim that he'd been 'misinterpreted'. He couldn't, could he?

Manchester United

Manchester United are another Premier League side whose ears have pricked up at the news of Asensio being available on a free, and it's easy to see why Erik ten Hag may be tempted.

Antony is coming towards the end of a relatively slow first season in Manchester, as he looks to juggle the pressure that comes with being a near-£100m signing.

The Brazilian has shown glimpses of what he's capable of and there's high hopes that his best form is still to come. Still, the one burden on Antony's shoulders this season has been ten Hag's inability to rotate.

He lacks the depth in his squad to rest the 23-year-old and that's where Asensio could, in theory, come into the fold. Left-footed, technically gifted, and with a sharp turn of pace, he's exactly the profile of the kind of inside forward that the Dutchman tends to like.

Promising Barcelona star receives offers from Bayern and two EPL clubs as contract extension looms

Football

Asensio isn't likely to come cheap though, with his hefty wages more than making up for the lack of a transfer fee. Still, he could follow in the footsteps of Raphael Varane and Casemiro by switching sunny Spain for a mild Manchester.

Madrid targets Asensio's replacement

Earlier Sports Brief reported that Real Madrid have reportedly identified RB Leipzig attacker, Dani Olmo as a possible replacement for Marco Asensio amid the ongoing speculation surrounding the Spaniard.

According to AS, Real Madrid are preparing for the possibility of Asensio moving on, and the club have identified Olmo as a potential replacement in the upcoming market.

Olmo's future at club level is also unclear, with the Spain international's Leipzig contract due to expire in the summer of 2024, which has led to recent exit speculation.