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Liverpool may get Asensio but not for a £180 million transfer fee

By David Gate

MALAGA, SPAIN - APRIL 15: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Malaga CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio La Rosaleda on April 15, 2018 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
MALAGA, SPAIN - APRIL 15: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Malaga CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio La Rosaleda on April 15, 2018 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool have been linked to a £180 million move for Marco Asensio. While the fee is ridiculous the idea of a transfer has some plausible origin.

Everywhere you look there is a new transfer rumor. It is that time of year. Maybe you hate it. Personally, I love it. And today’s big speculation is eye-popping. The Mirror reported today that Liverpool are going to break the bank for Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio by bidding a whopping £180 million for the young star.

If you’re initial reaction is to disbelieve it then you are a smart watcher if Liverpool Football Club. The Reds have famously not had a big net spend since the early days of FSG’s reign. The idea that they will jump in with the second-biggest-transfer-fee ever is preposterous.

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Now I am not knocking FSG; their spending on Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah is to be admired. I just don’t think we start to match Manchester City or PSG with that level of spending any time soon.

You can easily dismiss the fee but you can keep a small glimmer of hope that the player may end up in Liverpool anyway. It is not probable but it is possible.

Liverpool have been linked to him for over 12 months. Those rumors are not coming from Liverpool but from the player and his agents. The most likely explanation is that he is trying to leverage with Real Madrid. Either to get a better deal or force himself into first team contention.

Much will depend on how new manager Julen Lopetegui views him. As Spain manager he only gave the youngster 4 starts for the national squad. He failed to score in his 12 appearances under his new manager.

Next: All of Rafa Benitez' Liverpool signings ranked!

If the player feels his opportunities will be stunted – much depends on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale – then he may be looking for a way out. The Reds would be at the top of the queue if Real Madrid climb down from their huge valuation.