Liverpool are once again linked with Spanish international and Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio.
In the past, the Reds have been interested in the La Roja winger and now, reports suggest that even the Los Blancos are prepared to offer him to Liverpool.
News – Liverpool close to agreeing new deal with forward
However, the Spanish giants want Liverpool winger Sadio Mane in exchange.
Media:
Last year, renowned Spanish source AS reported that the Merseysiders made an offer of 50 million euros and then a huge offer of 150 million euros for Asensio in order to replace Philippe Coutinho.
Real Madrid opted to reject both the offers to keep their prized asset (AS).
Now, The Sunday Express have claimed that the 13-time European champions are ready to offer the 23-year-old as a bait to sign Mane from the Anfield club.
Asensio’s stats, playing position and price tag:
Marco Asensio joined Real Madrid in 2014 and then spent two seasons on loan with Mallorca and Espanyol respectively.
The youngster has so far failed to establish himself in the starting XI at the Bernabeu. In 2016-17, he started 11 league games, in 2017-18, he started 19 league games and in the last campaign, he once again started just 19 times in the league.
The Spaniard is naturally a left winger but he has also played on the right flank and in the central attacking midfield role for Real Madrid. Last season, he featured in 44 games in all competitions (only 24 starts), scored 6 goals and provided 7 assists (Transfermarkt).
His current contract with the La Liga club will expire in 2023 and as per The Sunday Express, he is rated at £85million.
Mane’s importance:
The Senegalese international mainly played on the left flank but at times, Klopp utilized him on the right wing and also as a center forward whenever needed.
Without doubt, Mane was our best attacking player in the second half of the last campaign as he scored 16 goals in 18 league appearances. Overall, he found the net 22 times and won the Gold Boot award.
In 2019, the African star netted important opening goals against PL teams like Leicester, West Ham, Bournemouth, Watford, Fulham, Chelsea and Wolves to keep us pushing for the title.
Moreover, in the Champions League, he scored crucial opening goals away from home against Bayern Munich and Porto.
In all competitions, the 27-year-old directly contributed in 31 goals (26 goals and 5 assists) in 49 starts for the Reds. We should hold on to the best players in our squad and Mane is surely one of them.
