Liverpool now pressing to sign 'spectacular' 10-goal Mane replacement for Klopp - report

Liverpool are interested in signing Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio this summer and have reportedly ‘come forward’ for him in recent days.

The 26-year-old picked up his third Champions League medal at the expense of the Reds last season, admittedly not playing a key role in his team’s success, though.

Asensio has drifted down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti, with Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde preferred out wide, and it means he could leave Madrid with only a year remaining on his current deal.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Spaniard this week and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away.

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], the Reds have now ‘come forward’ for Asensio, as they look to beat Arsenal and Newcastle United to his signature.

It looks a ‘stronger and stronger’ likelihood that a Premier League move is on the cards as Madrid are desperate to avoid losing him for free next year, and the Reds see him as a replacement for Sadio Mane.

One sticking point however is Liverpool not being able to guarantee him regular football.

Asensio’s quality as a footballer cannot be questioned – he was once described as ‘tremendously precise‘ by Jorge Valdano and more recently called ‘spectacular‘ by agent Horacio Gaggioli, and the numbers certainly back that up.

Despite limited chances this season, the Spain international bagged ten goals from just 19 La Liga starts, averaging over two shots and one chance created every game, per Whoscored.

That being said, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino already battling for minutes in Liverpool’s attack, it is hard to see where he would fit in.

Asensio would also cost a hefty sum of money and with funds not