Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target Marco Asensio has been heavily linked with a move to England this summer and Newcastle are now favourites to sign him.
That’s according to AS, who claim that the Magpies along with AC Milan are the Spaniard's most likely destinations if he is to leave Madrid this transfer window.
Asensio 235 appearances for Ancelotti's side, scoring 49 times. His stint has been incredibly successful, winning the Champions League and La Liga three times.
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If Eddie Howe's were to sign the forward, he’d very much be the talismanic, high-profile figure many fans were hoping the Geordie club would bring in ahead of the new season.
Thus far, Newcastle have made three summer signings of significance. Matt Targett and Nick Pope have joined in deals worth more than £10 million.
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And they've brought in former Lille man Sven Botman in a move worth approximately £35 million.
These singings very much align with the sort of conservative progress Newcastle’s Saudi owners want to see the club make during the early years of the new ownership
But one big transfer to increase the profile of the club globally could be on the cards.
Marco Asensio could be to Newcastle in 2022 what Robinho was to Manchester City in 2008 following his move from Real Madrid.
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According to Sport, Jurgen Klopp personally wants to see Asensio make the switch from the Bernabeu to Anfield this summer.
But with plenty of depth in forward areas, Liverpool aren’t really in need of a player of Asensio’s profile.
More of a pressing concern for the Merseyside club are potential engine room problems which could arise this season.
Liverpool have a strong first choice midfield three in Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago Alcantara, but the drop off in quality when any one of those three isn’t available is stark.
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Thus, a move for a new midfielder, perhaps Matheus Nunes of Sporting, is more likely than to occur than the potential signing of Asensio.
AS’s claim that Newcastle are ahead of Liverpool in the race for Asensio’s signature is one which makes sense.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Marco Asensio, Newcastle United