Manchester United have been after two of Real Madrid’s stars this transfer window. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have both been on the club’s radar, but the two players are set to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Red Devils have now turned their attention to young Madrid star Marco Asensio with just hours left in the transfer window.
According to reports from the Mirror, Manchester United have offered £51 million to the Spanish side for Asensio. Although this fee seems quite low for a rising star, the English team could still yet trigger Asensio’s buy-out clause; which is set a £74m.
The offer from Manchester United has forced Madrid’s hand, and the club are now working on a new contract with the player that Madrid hope will take over for Ronaldo when he leaves. The Mirror reports the new buy-out clause will be more than £550m.
Several news outlets reported Asensio was due to sign a new contract in early August with a £136m buy-out clause; but that doesn’t look to have happened.
Totalsportek.com, released the salaries for Madrid’s players in August 2017, with Asensio making just £75,000-a-week (£3.9m per year) with the contract expiring in 2022. Teammate Isco is reportedly on just£70,000-a-week, but he is set for a new deal as his current one expires next summer.
The Mirror is also reporting Zinedine Zidane has told Bale he is officially staying in Madrid for now.
Manchester United hope to make one more big signing before the transfer window closes on Thursday night.