REAL MADRID are preparing to offer Jurgen Klopp the chance to sign Marco Asensio but there is only one catch – they want Sadio Mane in exchange. Klopp is known to be a big fan of the £85million rated Asensio who is also a target for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Real Madrid have been taking a keen interest in the Senegal international who played a key role in helping Klopp’s side lift the Champions League trophy last season.
Real are willing to allow Asensio, 23, leave the Bernabeu this summer and are ready to use him as bait to land Mane. Meanwhile allowing Mane to leave Anfield could open the door for a move on Lille hitman Nicolas Pepe if he doesn’t join French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG want Ivory Coast ace Pepe who is away at the African Nations Cup but they are waiting to see what happens with Neymar before making a final decision.
Mane impressed last season at Liverpool, netting 26 times in all competitions. And that has alerted Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to his talents as he looks to overhaul his side. Asensio featured 44 times for Los Blancos last season, scoring six times and providing seven assists to his team-mates.
Meanwhile, football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Liverpool could spend big again if Klopp wants to.
“Liverpool finished second in the Premier League and actually generated more money from TV from the Premier League than Manchester City because they were on television live more often,” he said.
“Combine that with the additional revenue from the Champions League, and Liverpool’s cash reserves are high.
“They can sign practically anybody they choose. If Jurgen Klopp feels there are still one or two places missing in terms of the squad, they could spend £50m-£60m on a player today, absolutely.
“Plus the fact that Liverpool don’t need to sell and players don’t want to leave.
“They had issues with Coutinho, Suarez and Sterling, but I don’t think those issues will arise again for a good while, so they are in a very strong position in the market.”
Maguire then stated that if Klopp thought it was necessary, he could choose to spend £150m this summer – but also mentioned the German was likely happy with his current squad.
“They could spend another £150m if they wanted to this summer,” he said.
“I think Jurgen Klopp is very pleased with the squad and he’s also had some absolute bargains in the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold who came through the academy, and those two alone will have saved £100m.
“So it’s not just about spending big, it’s spending smart as well, which you’ve got to give the club credit for.”