Real Madrid Seeks To Shut Down Liverpool and Asensio Links

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio has long been the subject of Liverpool transfer speculation, including most recently during the January window as well as following los Blancos ignominious exit from the Champions League at the hands of Ajax Amsterdam. The Spanish international - still just 23 years of age - has endured a tough spell of late. In addition to being perceived as an underperformer at this club, Asensio has had to deal with limited playing time, a quad injury that sidelined him for a number of weeks, and was a temporarily a doubt for Spain’s internationals after a calf strain.

Those issues have not quelled the admittedly rather tenuous stories linking Asensio to a Premier League move for exorbitant sums (with Liverpool frequently mentioned as an interested party). Something else, however, might have a more substantial effect on that speculation.

According to the proverbial reports out of Spain, Real Madrid’s new/old manager Zinedine Zidane, is signaling an end to those links. Zidane purportedly been in communication with the young talent and has told Asensio that he will be a “fundamental” part of the team. If true, it would perhaps be an unsurprising decision, considering it was Zidane who first gave Asensio a real opportunity to make an impact at Real Madrid. If, as suggested by those reports, the Real Madrid executives share Zidane’s perspective, then it seems that the speculation about Liverpool’s interest will finally cool.