Contact made: Newcastle now eyeing 'world-class' UCL winner with £442m release clause - report

Newcastle United are reportedly now eyeing up a move for Marco Asensio in the summer.

Asensio has been struggling with a lack of game time at Real Madrid this season, as he has only managed to complete the full 90 minutes in five matches.

He was limited to just a two-minute cameo in their 4-3 loss away at Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, and with his contract set to expire in 2023, his long-term future at the Bernabeu is now under question.

As per Spanish news outlet Cuatro, the St. James’ Park faithful, as well as Juventus, have ‘already asked’ about Asensio ahead of a potential move this summer, but AC Milan seem to be the favourites for his signature.

The Italian giants are set to join the Tynesiders ‘soon’ in terms of having new owners from the Middle East, and so it looks as if they will face tough competition to land him.

Given Asensio’s lack of playing time, a big-money move for him this summer does seem risky – his rather remarkable £442million release clause would have to be whittled down exponentially.

Once hailed as ‘world-class‘ by former Madrid and Spain international manager Vincente del Bosque and likened to Lionel Messi by Zinedine Zidane, the winger has had an illustrious career already, with two Champions League titles the standout in his trophy cabinet.

Despite his titles with Los Blancos though, Asensio has arguably fallen behind in the shadows of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, with just 71 goal contributions over six seasons, and often shuffled around in a number of different positions across the pitch (Transfermarkt).

At 26 years of age, he still has a lot to offer, but this feels like a signing that would have to pay off