‘Angry’ Real Madrid star ‘willing to join Barcelona’ after Ancelotti snub

Suraj Radia

• 6 Mar 2023 14:49 CST
• 2 min read

Not many players would be willing to play for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, let alone join from the other, however Marco Asensio is believed to be considering such a move after falling out of favour with Carlo Ancelotti.

Asensio is out of contract in the summer and is expected to leave having started just seven La Liga games this season, having previously been on course for a renewal.

The 27-year-old has three goals in his last six games but he was an unused substitute in Real’s goalless draw with Betis despite being sent to warm up for the last 30 minutes of the game by Ancelotti.

Spanish outlet SPORT claim that Ancelotti had to explain the ‘strange’ situation to Asensio, much to the ‘obvious anger’ of the player, leaving the forward and his entourage ‘disappointed’ and relations becoming ‘very tense’.

As a result, Asensio is rethinking his future at the club, so much to the point that he would be ‘willing to listen’ to Barcelona should they make a move for him.

SPORT state that Barca ‘very much like’ Asensio and see him as a ‘great market opportunity’ but they will not interfere in his contract neogtiations and are only willing to consider a move if he ends up leaving Real.

Asensio likely to command free transfer race

Asensio has been somewhat of a bit part player under Ancelotti, often struggling with injury and consistency which has seen him fall behind the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

The Spanish international had a career-high of ten goals in La Liga last season despite only making 19 starts and he has been productive in his limited gametime this season, grabbing six goals and four assists in all competitions.

However, there is thought to have been tension between Asensio and the Real Madrid hierarchy, something which has undoubtedly increased in recent times.

Arsenal and Manchester United are among the teams monitoring the situation around Asensio, meaning he will have his choice of suitors should he opt against signing a late extension with Real.