Newcastle have emerged as contenders to sign Manchester United-linked Marco Asensio from reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid, according to reports. Asensio was tentatively mooted as one potential option for United and Erik ten Hag as the Dutchman sets about his much-needed rebuild.
Spain international Asensio, 26, only has 12 months left to run on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Champions League winners are thought to want £25million for his services. Spanish outlet AS suggest that the fee has kept United in the running for a deal.
However, as per the same report, Saudi-backed Newcastle are chasing the right-winger and will compete against Arsenal and AC Milan for his signature. AS claim Liverpool and United are still in the mix but, while his future at Madrid remains in the balance, there is little chance of Ten Hag firming up any interest in the player.
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Elsewhere, the Old Trafford giants have been given a boost should they attempt to sign free agent Paulo Dybala during the summer transfer window. Manchester Evening News understands Dybala is not currently on the radar, after moves to sign him fell by the wayside in 2019.
However, amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his United future, there might be a green light for Ten Hag to go after the former Juventus forward. Dybala is available for nothing this summer after he ran down his contract with the Italian giants.
Inter Milan were heavy favourites to take advantage and recruit the Argentina international. However, interest in Dybala at the San Siro has cooled after the club re-signed former United striker Romelu Lukaku on loan, as reports from ESPN claim Inter are no longer pushing quite so hard to secure his signature.
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