Earlier this week, surprising reports emerged claiming that Barcelona were considering making a shock swoop to sign Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio on a free transfer next summer.
Asensio is in the final year of his contract with the Merengues and with talks over a new deal stalling a while back, looks poised to leave the club as a free agent in 2023.
There had been links to clubs in the Premier League in the recent past, but Barcelona’s reported entry into the picture has generated a lot of intrigue surrounding Asensio and his situation.
Currently on international duty with Spain, Asensio spoke to COPE about his future and the links to Barcelona, during which he was very coy about the rumours and refused to give much away.
When asked if he would be open to joining Barcelona next summer, the 26-year-old winger replied: “I haven’t thought about it. I can’t give you an answer right now.”
On being asked whether the Blaugrana had made contact with him over a possible transfer, Asensio said: “I honestly don’t know.”
But he did admit that he was aware of the Barcelona rumours and will be able to sign for any club he wants when his contract expires at the end of the season.
“Many friends have told me about the news that Barça want to sign me. I’ve received about 200 messages. There are a lot of rumours and a lot of things we don’t know. In 2023 I will be able to sign with any club because my contract ends,” he said.
Asensio, at 26, is entering the prime of his career. While it is true that he has failed to hit the heights expected of him after his long-term injury, the Spaniard remains a quality player who can be fine signing for any club, that too on a free transfer.
It will certainly be interesting to see if Barcelona do indeed go after him and whether he reciprocates the interest from the Catalans.
