Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has told the club that he does not want Liverpool target Marco Asensio to be sold.
That’s according to Defensa Central, who claim the Los Blancos boss has urged the team’s hierarchy keep hold of the Spain international, as he will continue to play a part in his plans during the second half of the season.
Out of contract at the end of the season, there is a chance that the 26-year-old may not renew his deal at the Bernabeu.
Despite this, the Italian is adamant he wants Madrid to keep hold of the player, regardless of whether clubs make a move to sign him in January.
According to the Sunday Mirror (4/12; page 83), the Reds are set to rival Bayern Munich and Juventus to secure the attacker’s signature in the winter window.
Ancelotti wants to keep Liverpool target Asensio
Although Asensio has struggled to maintain a place in the White’s XI under previous managers, Ancelotti appears to be a fan of the winger, and rightly so. In 250 appearances for the club, the Spaniard has bagged 52 goals and 27 assists.
Having led the line for Spain in the World Cup group stages, the Madrid man has impressed at centre-forward.
Despite having started just three matches in La Liga and the Champions League this season, this news suggests that the Los Blancos manager could look to utilise Asensio more regularly during the second half of the campaign. He recently claimed the attacker is an ‘extraordinary’ player, so this is a likely possibility.
This will come as an annoyance to Jurgen Klopp, who was hoping to secure his services in January.
However, if his transfer rivals also don’t have a chance of landing him next month, the Reds still have the opportunity of convincing the player to sign a pre-contract, ahead of the summer.
Therefore, whilst Asensio’s arrival doesn’t appear imminent, a move remains possible at the end of the season.
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