Whether Real Madrid will sign another player for next season depends on if they can sell someone from the current squad to free up some funds. Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni have already come through the door but Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos could soon be leaving.
It was already known that Luka Jovic, Mariano Diaz and Jesus Vallejo are set to depart, while the club are also looking for loan exits for Take Kubo and Reinier Jesus. Borja Mayoral is also likely to leave, while Marcelo, Gareth Bale and Isco have already left.
But with Asensio and Ceballos, things are different, as they are important squad members with plenty still to give, and are not too pleased about being out of the starting line-up as often as they are. And for Real Madrid, unlike other summers, they do not have cash to burn and the aforementioned duo can generate significant income.
Both players are into the final year of their respective Los Blancos contracts with crucial decision on their futures expected next month. Asensio is attracting transfer interest from England and Italy, as he eyes a World Cup spot at the end of 2022, with Ceballos linked with former club Real Betis. According to reports from Marca, Real Madrid will pause their attempts to sign new players, with sales needed to balance the squad.
Asensio holds the key: As MARCA has reported, for the moment Asensio has not received any contract renewal offer yet, with his current deal expiring in 12 months. Real Madrid are awaiting the player's decision, and the club know that his sale could hold the key to any incoming stars.
Meanwhile, Asensio has changed his long-time agent, Horacio Gaggioli, for Jorge Mendes. Everything points to Asensio departing Real Madrid, but the Spaniard's priority is to stay put. He is willing to extend his contract and the two parties agreed to meet after Spain's games.
Asensio believes that his performances last season should earn him a contract renewal with a pay rise. He is currently earning around three and a half million euros, which places him in the bottom third of Real Madrid's salary scale. He maintains that his wages do not correspond to his status as the team's third scorer in 2021/22. However, Asensio has not managed to establish himself into Real Madrid's starting XI.
Liverpool could miss out on Real Madrid star Marco Asensio due to fresh transfer interest in him from AC Milan. Jurgen Klopp is strengthening his squad ahead of 2022/23 Premier League campaign after already securing a deal for Darwin Nunez this month. Klopp is eager to add to his options in midfield, with Asensio a potential target, due his lack of consistent game time in Madrid in 2021/22.
Asensio faces a key decision as he goes into the final year of his Los Blancos contract after making just 19 La Liga starts last season. However, despite Liverpool’s interest in a possible €40m bid, according to reports from Diario Sport, Asensio would prefer to join the Serie A champions, due a better chance of first team football. The Italian giants have less squad depth than Liverpool, and Real Madrid could be open to a deal, if Asensio declines to extend his contract in the Spanish capital.
Ceballos has suitors: Like Asensio, Ceballos is hoping to make it into the Spain squad for the World Cup and coach Luis Enrique has already warned that it will be difficult for those who are not playing for the clubs to be picked for their country.
Back at Real Madrid last summer, Ceballos was linked with a permanent departure from the club. But an injury while on international duty during the Tokyo Olympic Games put paid to any hopes of an exit. Having stayed put, the Spaniard returned to action in the early parts of 2022 and while he did not play regularly enough, Ceballos made a solid impression when given a chance.
It led to Real Madrid considering the possibility of extending his contract, which expires in 2023. However, as per the report, Ceballos does not wish to sign a new deal with the club as he would be starved of game-time if he stays put at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
Ceballos already had limited game time last season and, now, with the arrival of Tchouameni, his task has become even more difficult. Real Madrid believe that the midfielder could bring in close to 10M Euros, an amount that is negotiable but not excessively low.
The Spaniard would be very keen to return to Betis. In fact, for many people, Ceballos keeps hinting at a return to the club. His latest Tweet has only reignited these rumuors. Ceballos shared a video where he is seen training in Sierra Nevada (Granada). But people have been talking about the green heart which he posted in the caption, rather than his training.
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