Marco Asensio: Ranking the five Premier League clubs interested in Real Madrid star

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 28 Sept 2022 12:28 BST
• 4 min read

Marco Asensio’s time at Real Madrid is set to end in the summer of 2023, when he will become a free agent.

Already there are a number of clubs gathering to swoop for the attacking midfielder, who gave a timely reminder of his qualities during Spain’s Nations League matches against the Czech Republic and Switzerland, producing an assist in each.

Given that he has been reduced to only 47 minutes on the field with Real Madrid this season, the 26-year-old will be feeling better about his game.

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Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, reports that he has some big decisions to make about his future looming. Five Premier League clubs plus Milan and Juventus are thought to be monitoring his position already, while Barcelona have also been credited with an interest.

But if Asensio does complete a summer transfer to England in 2023, where is he likeliest to go? Here is FootballTransfers’ power ranking of the options.

5. Newcastle

Newcastle may be well monied, but they have not shown any great ambition in the transfer market yet and are unlikely to have European football to offer Asensio, who has grown used to competing for the Champions League.

Certainly, the draw of a big pay packet means that Newcastle cannot be ruled out, but would the Spaniard really want to risk his peak years playing for a side that looks several seasons away from being a genuine threat to silverware?

4. Liverpool

Asensio has Liverpool quality, but the Anfield club have little track record of signing players from big European teams in recent years. While other clubs may be tempted to take a punt on Asensio because he is available for nothing, Jurgen Klopp’s side are typically more pragmatic and would prefer to spend money to ensure they get absolutely the right player.

3. Arsenal

Arsenal are looking for an additional attacking option in their side, and Asensio is the type of player who could fit the bill. Manager Mikel Arteta loves versatile players, and the Spaniard has bags of that as he can play across the midfield and attack. Furthermore, he also possesses the type of Champions League experience that the Gunners will crave should they close out a top-four finish this season, as already appears likely.

2. Man Utd

Manchester United are already well stocked in the attacking areas that Asensio tends to fill, whether that is out wide or in a more central role, and while there is little doubt that he would add strength to their squad, there are other priority areas that Erik ten Hag must look at first. If these are sufficiently addressed in January, they can start to really step up for Asensio, in which case they will be frontrunners.

1. Chelsea

After spending big this summer, Chelsea may be forced to look at some more low-cost options in 2023, and to that end Asensio would appear to be a great opportunity for them. His versatility is perfect for Graham Potter’s flexibly in terms of system, and with Christian Pulisic’s future under question, he would doubtless represent a step up.