Barcelona looking to sign Real Madrid star if Ousmane Dembele leaves in 2023

Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio in recent weeks. The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Los Blancos and has been tipped to leave the club as a free agent.

And Barça have emerged as a shock contender for the winger’s signing. The Catalans already have a loaded attacking unit, with the likes of Memphis Depay and Ferran Torres struggling to get meaningful game-time in the current season.

However, Depay’s contract expires next summer, which would leave a vacancy in the department at Spotify Camp Nou, paving the way for Asensio to arrive.

But, as per the latest report from ARA, any move from Barcelona to sign the Real Madrid forward will depend on the future of French superstar Ousmane Dembele.

The 25-year-old speedster signed a new contract with the Blaugrana only last summer, bringing an end to a long-running saga. However, he penned only a short-term deal for two years, leaving the door open to negotiating a better deal once the club recovers financially.

But, as per the report, there remains a possibility that Barça might sell Dembele next year, even as early as January, as his agent is once again angling for an exit in order to pocket a lucrative bonus for himself.

Should such a scenario materialise, Barcelona will bring Asensio in as a replacement for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner on a Bosman deal.

The Real Madrid attacker is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has a good relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. There have been reports that the agent has already offered the Spaniard’s services to the Blaugrana.

However, the report specifies that there is no agreement in principle between the parties even though Barça maintain an interest in the former RCD Mallorca ace.

Asensio has struggled for game-time under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid this season and will look to move on at the end of the season. Whether he will make a controversial switch to Spotify Camp Nou will likely hinge on Ousmane Dembele’s future at Barcelona.