In a surprising turn of events, Spanish winger Marco Asensio will be parting ways with Real Madrid as his contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 season according to Hugo Cerezo.
Despite ongoing negotiations and a renewal proposal on the table, the 27-year-old has chosen to reject the offer in search of a more prominent role elsewhere.
Asensio has spent an impressive seven years at Santiago Bernabeu, having joined from Mallorca in 2014. He has made 50 appearances this season, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.
His departure will surely leave a void in the Real Madrid squad, as the coaching staff had hoped for the Spain international to stay.
Related: Barcelona Not Willing to Make a Move for Asensio to Avoid Conflict With Real Madrid.
During his tenure with the club, Asensio has amassed an enviable collection of 17 major trophies, including three Champions League titles, three La Liga championships, and one Copa del Rey.
His departure will mark the end of an illustrious era, but it will also give him the opportunity to explore new horizons.
Aston Villa has reportedly expressed interest in signing the talented forward, offering a lucrative alternative to extending his time in Spain. With the Premier League club closely monitoring the situation, Asensio could soon find himself playing under a different banner.
Other clubs in the Premier League and Italy have also shown interest in Asensio, adding to the list of potential suitors. Real Madrid fans will have only two more chances to see their beloved winger in action, as he could make his final appearances for the club in the remaining La Liga fixtures against Sevilla on Saturday and Athletic Club on June 4.
Marco Asensio set to leave Real Madrid
Previously, Paris Saint-Germain had been eyeing Asensio as a possible replacement for Lionel Messi, should the Argentine superstar leave as a free agent. However, Real Madrid thwarted any attempts from the French club to secure the Spaniard, who ultimately decided to stay at the time.
Aside from Asensio, Aston Villa is keeping tabs on Dani Ceballos, who is also out of contract in the summer. Reports suggest that Unai Emery’s side has already made an “important offer” for the Spanish midfielder. Real Madrid may also lose Nacho as a free agent, as the defender seeks more game time.
As the curtain falls on Asensio’s time at Real Madrid, fans will undoubtedly be left with a mixture of sadness and gratitude for the memories he has provided. Meanwhile, the talented winger will embark on a new chapter in his career, eager to make an impact wherever he lands.
