Not just De Jong: Man Utd now 'lead' race for 73 G/A gem Ronaldo once touted for the Ballon D'Or

Manchester United are in pole position for Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) report. 

The transfer window officially opened on Friday, enabling new United boss Erik ten Hag to assemble his squad.

The Red Devils are already working on a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, having seen an opening offer of €60million (£51.3million) plus €10million add-ons rejected.

But it seems Ten Hag is also keen on bolstering his forward line with the addition of Asensio, who’s capable of operating on either flank and also in central positions.

Asensio, who’s valued at €40million (£34.2million) by Transfermarkt, is into the last 12 months of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The report states that Real have offered Asensio a new deal but he’s yet to signal his agreement. If he fails to commit, then Los Blancos are expected to put him up for sale this summer.

In terms of suitors, United and Serie A giants are Juventus are said to be ‘in the lead’.

Asensio is apparently willing to run down the final year of his deal and leave on a free transfer too.

Asensio scored 12 goals and provided two assists last season, taking his overall totals for Real Madrid to 49 goals and 24 assists in 235 matches.

He commendably reached double figures in La Liga despite only starting 19 of their 38 matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a former team-mate of the 26-year-old, once backed Asensio to follow in his footsteps as a Ballon D’Or winner. And he’d have the chance to team up with the Portuguese superstar once again at Old Trafford, of course.

In terms of playing style, he’s similar to Manchester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden, Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min and Liverpool’s Sadio Mane,