Marco Asensio rebuffed transfer interest from Manchester United and other potential suitors to stay put with Real Madrid until his contract expires next summer - according to reports. Speculation over Asensio and his future at the Spanish giants was rife throughout the transfer window.
United and other Premier League sides including Saudi-backed Newcastle were linked with his signature as Madrid pondered whether or not to cash-in on the 29-cap international. However, in the end, Asensio resisted a switch and will continue to fight for his place.
Suggestions that he might complete a move to Old Trafford were tentative at best, though, as Erik ten Hag, finally strengthened in attacking quarters on deadline day. Antony completed his €100million transfer from Eredivisie side Ajax before the deadline came and went at 11pm on Thursday night.
READ MORE: Updates from United transfer blog
As such, there was no need for United to pursue Asensio and - as per reports from Mundo Deportivo - they would have been unable to do so anyway as the 26-year-old had already settled on staying put at the Santiago Bernabeu for another 12 months. His contract expires in June 2023 when he will be available on a free transfer.
Elsewhere, reports from The Athletic suggest Aston Villa 'turned down' the opportunity to sign Eric Bailly before he completed a loan move to Marseille during the summer transfer window. Bailly, 28, slipped further down the United pecking order when Ten Hag signed Lisandro Martinez from his old club Ajax.
Bailly will spend this season with the French side and there is an obligation to buy the player should he play enough games for them throughout this campaign.
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