According to Mirror, Barcelona are reportedly in talks with Marco Asensio and his agent for a possible move to Camp Nou at the end of this season. The Catalan club are considering moving for the Spaniard who is currently struggling with opportunities at Los Blancos. Barca have always had a fierce rivalry with the European Champions, so this could be the first time they move in for a player from their sworn rival club.
Marco Asensio’s Numbers For Real Madrid
Marco Asensio has made 268 appearances for Los Blancos, having scored 51 goals across all competitions so far.
Even in the last term, he managed to put up some impressive numbers on the board – averaging 2.1 shots, 1.0 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per game in the Spanish top flight (calculated across 38 appearances), grabbing 11 goals and 2 assists on all fronts. The Real Madrid man seemed to have recaptured his form prior to his ACL injury which had ruled him out for the 2019/20 season.
However, in the current season, the Spanish winger has mostly come on to the pitch as a late substitute, so he has only managed to find the back of the net thrice and produced four assists after making twenty appearances so far across all competitions. However, he has managed to distribute the ball efficiently after making 89.3% of his attempted passes in La Liga (stats via Whoscored).
Should Xavi Bring Him To Barcelona?
Asensio is capable of playing in the central midfield areas and on the right wing, so he could potentially add something different to Barcelona’s attack. However, he remains weak in dropping back on defensive duties which he’ll need to improve in order to attain a regular starting position.
Asensio excels at creating space for himself and is not afraid to take a shot at the goal from long range. He can also chip in with a few assists producing meaningful chances for his teammates. However, he would have to prove himself in the final third and often be productive to convert his opportunities to become a key player for Xavi.
The added lure of Champions League experience makes him a decent option for any club interested in his services. His versatility showcases that he can proficiently add significant firepower to the attacking front.
Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that Rodrygo will be getting more minutes after putting in some influential displays in the frontline this season, and this poses a threat to Asensio’s position at the club, hence he would be better off leaving for Camp Nou at the end of this season.
