Marco Asensio is choosing to join Paris Saint-Germain when his contract with Real Madrid expires this summer.
The 27-year-old has a long-term contract with PSG and is set to earn €10 million (£8.5 million) each year in salary and incentives with the Ligue 1 side.
Asensio’s contract has still to be signed, but the deal is anticipated to be completed after Madrid’s last La Liga game of the season, which takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao.
On Saturday, Real Madrid confirmed Asensio’s departure, adding, “We will never forget his career and his outstanding conduct throughout all of this time.” Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and his entire family all the best in this new chapter of his career.”
The Spanish international drew heavy attention from Premier League club Aston Villa, who were willing to give a lucrative alternative, but it appears that the French champions have won the fight for his signing.
Since the beginning of the year, Marco Asensio had been in contract discussions with Madrid, and he had a proposition on the table to extend his contract before declining any extension.
He has been with Real Madrid for seven years, having joined from Mallorca in 2014. This season, he has made 50 appearances for La Liga, scoring 12 goals and assisting on eight others.
Asensio has won 17 major trophies in his career at Madrid, including three Champions Leagues, three La Liga crowns, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, and one Copa del Rey.
Marco Asensio set to sign four-year deal with PSG
In the summer of 2015, the Spain international joined Real Madrid. Los Blancos signed him from RCD Mallorca and promptly loaned him out to obtain first-team experience. In the 2016/17 season, the 27-year-old made his debut for the first squad.
During his first few years, he surged from strength to strength, scoring some great goals. However, injuries became a big issue, and he was unable to establish himself as a regular starter. Despite not being a regular starter, the former Mallorca attacker has contributed to the team’s success.
In his 50 appearances, he has assisted on 20 goals. Despite playing fewer than 2,000 minutes, the 27-year-old has reached the back of the net 12 times and provided eight assists. The contract of Asensio was slated to expire at the end of the current season. Real Madrid attempted to extend the contract.
However, both sides were unable to reach an agreement and chose to split ways. Real Madrid announced on Saturday that Asensio would leave the club at the end of the season. Meanwhile, PSG has been keeping a close eye on the situation. They were interested in signing the 27-year-old, and it appears that they are extremely close to doing so.
PSG’s Football Advisor, Luis Campos, has been working on this transaction for some time. And, according to Romano, Asensio will sign a four-year contract after saying goodbye to Real Madrid supporters next season.
With the French giants about to lose Lionel Messi, getting the Spain international as a substitute may be excellent business. Asensio, who won the Champions League three times during his time in Madrid, could surely contribute to their title campaign.