Real Madrid to insert £310m release clause in Marco Asensio's new contract as they look to tie down starlet
The Spanish winger was subject of a £50m bid from Liverpool in January but looks set to spend the prime of his career at the Bernabeu
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid want to slap a €350m (£310m) release clause in the contract of starlet Marco Asensio as they prepare to announce a new deal to tie him down long-term.
The former Mallorca winger has exploded into the first-team picture at the Bernabeu this season after impressing on loan at Espanyol in 2015/16, and Madrid have agreement with the player over the majority of a new contract.
Asensio's new deal will see his contract extended for just one more year, from 2022 to 2023, but hands him an extra salary increase - his second in a year.
But the key part for the club will be the increase in his release clause, which they are hoping to peg at €350m.
That would make Asensio one of the squad's most valuable players, boasting a release clause of over double the club captain, Sergio Ramos, but still behind Gareth Bale (€500m) and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo (€1bn).
Liverpool made a bid of £50m for Asensio in the January window but were laughed off by Madrid, who see Asensio as the future face of the club.
Indeed, should Cristiano Ronaldo - as expected - decide to reverse his "irreversible" decision to leave the Spanish capital then he is expected to play another couple of season in Madrid. Asensio, 23 by that point, would be perfectly positioned to succeed Ronaldo as the club's biggest star, though he may have some competition should Madrid sign top target Kylian Mbappé from Monaco.
The French forward is considered one of the world's best young players and Madrid have made strong moves to acquire him already his month.
In meetings with Monaco last week, Mbappe told the club that the only destination he is considering is Real Madrid but there is increasing noise that Mbappe is prepared to play one more season in the south of France before making what would likely be a world-record move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments