Spanish news outlet, Don Balon has stated that Real Madrid might be open to a trade for Marco Asensio if Chelsea agrees to part ways with Eden Hazard. Arsenal are among the host of Premier League clubs who can sign the 22-year-old in the summer.
The former Mallorca midfielder came off the bench to help inspire Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night. He was at it again last weekend against Real Betis in La Liga and helped his team win 3-5 by scoring a brace.
The 22-year-old did not score against PSG, but Real’s two late goals came from his runs down the left. The match looked to be stalled at 1-1 before the Spaniard’s substitution and ended 3-1, through the 2 goals in the final seven minutes — an advantage that makes Madrid favourites to advance to the Quarter Final stage of the competition.
Asensio has not been utilised as much as he would have liked but an all around 35 games this season is a decent tally for a youngster. Zinedine Zidane has rotated Asensio around the wing and midfield positions and the Palma-born attacker has delivered 10 goals and 5 assists.
His impact off the bench has immediate and significant to go unnoticed by the Madrid faithful. However, he might not be at an elite level to really dictate games on a regular basis – something Eden Hazard is.
While Asensio has proven his talents when given the opportunity he still needs to develop into a top-pedigree creative midfielder who can lead the team’s attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
His progress in the Galactico ranks is laudable but it might get hindered on the arrival of another marquee player. Hazard or Neymar is expected to cement themselves in the starting XI on either of the wings with the final three pretty much covered by Ronaldo and Benzema.
The midfield also has established stars like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro with second options in Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente. It would be in Asensio’s best interests to keep his spot in the senior team if he wants to have an illustrious future with the Spanish national team as well.
Asensio has been capped at international level 8 times and might travel to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. While Arsenal is a top destination in the Premier League is his services really needed at the Emirates?
The Gunners are covered on the creative aspect with Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey in the squad. Maybe Arsene Wenger is better off looking into more of a traditional winger rather than a ball dominant one, a style that suits Asensio more.
