Transfer Profile: Marco Asensio

Asensio

By Oli Dickson Jefford

Very few players have achieved as much as Marco Asensio in recent seasons.

He has won some of the world’s biggest trophies but the Spain star is reportedly set to leave Real Madrid this summer - and Arsenal are one of the clubs apparently keen on his signature.


We take a look at his career, whether the winger would be a good fit at the Emirates, and if a move to North London this summer is possible.


Career to date

Asensio made his professional debut aged 17 in 2013, playing for both Mallorca and Mallorca B sides in the 2013/14 season, having grown up on the island and moving to their academy aged 10.

He was then signed by Real Madrid in December 2014, though spent the remainder of that campaign on loan in Mallorca and was then loaned out to Espanyol the following year.

It wasn’t until the 2016/17 campaign that he began to start for Madrid, and since then he has been a first-team regular barring injury.

He has won La Liga twice and has also picked up two Champions League titles, scoring Madrid’s fourth in a 4-1 win over Juventus in the 2017 final.

Asensio has also won two Supercopa de Espana titles, two UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups for his club, with a third La Liga title likely to follow at the end of the season.

The winger made his Spain debut in 2016, making 25 appearances for his country and scoring once.

He was one of the three over-23 players that featured in the Spanish squad that won silver at the Olympic Games last summer, while he is also a EURO Under-19 winner and Under-21 runner-up with his country.


Asensio 2

Key attributes

Arguably Asensio’s biggest attribute is his work rate.

Compared to other wingers he doesn’t necessarily possess as much flair and his game style is perhaps not as attractive as others, but he is a reliable performer and effective at what he does.

He is capable of playing on both the left and right flanks, and is a reliable crosser of the ball - particularly on his left foot.

What would also help Arsenal is his experience, having won more trophies than virtually all of the current players within the squad.

He would bring a winning mentality to a team that must be pushing for trophies next season, while aged only 26 he is still in his prime and could be a long-term signing.


Will it happen?


While it is easy to see the attraction from an Arsenal perspective, this signing may be a tricky one to pull off.


Last night’s shocking display against Crystal Palace conclusively showed that holding midfielders and stronger back-ups at left and right back have to be the Gunners’ priority this summer.


With a limited transfer budget and Madrid apparently looking for over £50m for Asensio, this is a signing that may be slightly lower on Arsenal’s wishlist.


It also needs to be noted that Arsenal already have an abundance of attacking talent in their squad, which has certainly been their strength this season.


Though Asensio would be a good signing for most clubs. Arsenal’s targets must sit elsewhere and it may be unlikely that he will be heading to North London this summer. 


However, with the interest there and the Spaniard reportedly keen on a move it could be something to keep an eye on.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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