Barca plots Raid for Madrid's Asensio

Barcelona who are willing to activate the Real Madrid star’s £72m release clause, according to reports. The 21-year-old is being lined up by Barca boss Ernesto Valverde as he looks to lure away the attacking midfielder from the home of their fiercest rivals.

According to Spanish news outlet Diario Gol, they claim that they have identified the former Mallorca man as a cheaper alternative to Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho after being thwarted in their attempts to sign him.

The Copa del Rey champions pocketed a whopping £198million after selling Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, and are desperately seeking a replacment for the Brazilian trickster. A £90m bid was rejected by the Reds for Coutinho on Thursday night, with Jurgen Klopp declaring he will not be leaving Anfield for any price. It means that Asensio one of the top talents in Europe, could be in line for a shock switch to the Nou Camp in a transfer that will send shock waves around La Liga in deal reminiscent as to when Luis Figo joined Los Blancos in 2000.

Barca would be able to offer the Spanish international regular game time with Isco, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lucas Vasquez all ahead of him in the pecking order at the Bernabeu. Speaking back in April when he was linked with a move to Manchester United