'I hope it comes to fruition' - Asensio makes future revelation amid Barcelona talk

Jacque Talbot

• 23 Jan 2023 15:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Marco Asensio has expressed his desire to remain with Real Madrid.

The Spaniard, who started in Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, is out of contract with his current club in the summer.

And he told Marca that he hopes a fresh deal can be wrapped up soon. “Things are being discussed, we'll see where it goes,” he said.” I'm focused on mine and the next game.

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“Hopefully everything will come to fruition. I want to renew and be in Madrid for a long time but it's not something that depends only on me. I believe the most important thing in sports is being happy.”

It comes after reports that Barcelona has held talks about signing Asensio on a free transfer.

Sport report that the league leaders are hoping to land the 27-year-old as Asensio is unhappy with Real’s latest contract offer, with the side offering reduced terms.

The attacker is now represented by Jorge Mendes and it is thought that the super-agent is also exploring the possibility of taking Wolves star Ruben Neves, who is viewed as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, to the Nou Camp along with Asensio.

Asensio to Barca?

Given their financial hardship at present, Barca would be tempted by bringing in such talent at no cost but know they will face some fightback from Real, who would not want to sell to an arch-rival.

When he was at Mallorca in 2014, Asensio was close to signing for Barca but Josep Bartomeu's board refused to pay €4m and so he ended up with Real.

The Spaniard has featured 257 times for Real and scored 52 goals. His tenure, though, has failed to truly live up to expectations, and there were a whole host of clubs linked to signing him over the summer period.