BREAKING: Reports suggest Barcelona bid to pay Marco Asensio’s release clause

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid controls the ball during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid controls the ball during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Reports suggest that FC Barcelona have made a bid for Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio. Is there any truth to these rumors?

Barcelona made a hefty €222M from their sale of Neymar to PSG. Now, they’re on the market for replacements. It looks like they might be attempting a raid on one of Real Madrid’s young starlets to take Neymar’s place in the Barca lineup.

The Daily Mail are reporting that Barcelona will attempt to pay Marco Asensio’s release clause. Asensio’s release clause is £72m (€79m), a pittance in today’s inflated transfer market.

How serious are these rumors? Well, right now, it’s mostly being reported by tabloid outlets like The Daily MailThe Sunand The ExpressWe all know that soccer transfer rumors are infamously unreliable. Until this begins getting reported by more legitimate outlets, it’s safe to assume that Asensio will remain a Real Madrid player.

Barcelona have tried and failed to sign Asensio before he was a Real Madrid player. Their inability to pay Malaga the desired transfer fee resulted in Asensio’s ultimate transfer to Real Madrid. Now, Barcelona have the cash to make a major move, but they may find that their cash isn’t enough to persuade the player himself.

Marco Asensio has made his mark at Real Madrid. He has won the Champions League and the La Liga title with Madrid, even going so far as to score a goal in the Champions League final against Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon.

He is part of Real Madrid’s young Spanish core. And there is obviously a budding bromance between him and Isco. Their “si tú eres mi picha, yo soy tu bro” routine following major trophy wins has become a fan favorite on social media.

All signs point to Asensio’s future being in Madrid. If Barcelona can pry him away with a massive contract boost, it would be a major coup.

But nothing suggests that Madrid fans should start panicking yet. Asensio has bought into the Zidane project. He knows that he has a place in Real Madrid’s plans, and is getting the opportunity to shine on the biggest stages. Marco Asensio’s place in Real Madrid is probably safe… for now.

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Stay tuned to The Real Champs for the latest on the Marco Asensio transfer rumors.