Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has turned his attention to Real Madrid star Marco Asensio after giving up on Gareth Bale, according to Don Balon.
What’s the word?
During the summer window, Mourinho made it clear that he wanted Bale in his team if he became available at the Bernabeu.
A transfer never materialised and now rumours are rife that the Red Devils have cooled their interest in the injury-prone Welshman.
Don Balon reports that Asensio is the new target, but the Premier League giants are unwilling to pay his £442m release clause.
United are prepared to offer a hefty fee in a bid to convince club president Florentino Perez to sell.
Asensio right for United?
It was widely reported prior to the start of the season that Mourinho wanted a new winger.
Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic was thought to be the top target, but the Croatia international never made the move.
Asensio is good enough to fulfil that role, but he offers more than skill in wide areas.
The 21-year-old can also play further up in a left-sided attacking position, as well as centrally as a number 10 or up front.
Given that the Spaniard has started just eight La Liga games and one in the Champions League under Zinedine Zidane, he may be open to moving on.
Mourinho, though, has shown with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Luke Shaw that if a player does not meet his standards, he will ruthlessly drop them.
Asensio’s lack of game time this season and zero Premier League experience may result in him needing time to adapt.
Having said that, the attack-minded star has still contributed with seven goals in all competitions.
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