Chris Waugh has dropped a worrying update on Newcastle United’s pursuit of Marco Asensio.
It’s very obvious that after improving their backline, Newcastle and Eddie Howe will be looking to improve their options going forward, particularly in the wide areas, as apart from Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle’s other wingers combined for just four league goals last season.
An exciting name has been doing the rounds lately in the form of Champions League winner Asensio, who is being touted around Europe with just one year left on his contract, while PIF are said to hold an interest in the Spain international, according to reports in France.
However, while speaking on Newcastle Fans TV, Waugh claimed that a move for Asensio was not something that appeared close or even realistic.
He said: “A lot of people have asked this question to me, and I’ve put the question to a lot of people around the club. They like Asensio, they’ve watched him – how could you not in terms of what he can bring?
“But I don’t think he quite fits the profile of exactly what they’re looking for – maybe a couple of years too old – although he’s not old, but he’s sort of mid-20s, already experienced sort of player, in that sense.
Would you like Newcastle to sign Asensio?
Yes!
No!
“He gets decent wages at Real Madrid and they would be very much to the top of Newcastle’s wage budget, probably breaking it slightly, but they’re not massively prohibitive in that sense. But my understanding at this stage is that Asensio is not necessarily a priority.
“He has been offered to Newcastle, he’s one of quite a few players who’s been offered towards them, and I’m not saying that there’s absolutely no chance of it happening, I just think it’s unlikely at this stage.”
TIF Thoughts on the Asensio links…
It would certainly be a statement of intent if Newcastle were to tempt Asensio – a current Champions League winner – to St James’ Park, especially if he has been offered to them, as that would make the deal a lot easier to complete.
However, despite his services being pushed Newcastle’s way, it appears that the Magpies are targeting someone of a younger profile such as Amine Gouiri, which shows the plan PIF have for the long term.