Premier League side Manchester United are in the market for a new forward and Jose Mourinho has turned his attention to young Real Madrid star Marco Asensio.
Mourinho monitoring Asensio situation
The Portuguese coach was rumoured to have a strong interest in former Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale as he continues to struggle with life in La Liga - spending much of his time sidelined either due to injury or lack of form in Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane's eyes. However, according to the Mirror, the rise and impressive form coming from 21-year-old Asensio, Mourinho has turned his attention to the Spanish forward.
Spaniard struggling to cement regular football
Asensio began his career with Mallorca as he rose through the youth team constantly making waves and in 2014, he made a big move to the Spanish capital to play for record La Liga title winning side under now manager Zinedine Zidane. Although, despite the extraordinary talent that Asensio possesses, he still hasn't cemented a regular first-team place in the squad - something that has Jose Mourinho on high alert.
Asensio has scored seven goals in 35 appearances for Madrid but has spent some time out on loan with his boyhood club Mallorca and also Espanyol.
Staggering release clause
It's no secret the price Mourinho will have to pay to lure the Spaniard to Old Trafford after he signed a new contract with Madrid earlier this year to keep him at the club until 2023.
The club feared his release clause was too low and would be forced into selling if he continued to play well. Madrid applied a clause to Asensio's contract which currently stands at a staggering €500m - any sale in the near future would smash the transfer record currently held by PSG's Neymar.
United's start to the current campaign
Jose Mourinho will be pleased with the start his side have had in the Premier League - currently sitting in second place behind local rivals Manchester City - who have had an exceptional start in the English top-flight.
The Red Devils are looking solid throughout the squad with goalkeeper David De Gea the stand-out player following some fantastic performances - particularly against Arsenal not too long ago.
New signing Romelu Lukaku had a decent start to the season but his form has dropped off in recent weeks, inviting questions into his ability to play for a top-four club. However, if Mourinho is able to entice Asensio to Old Trafford, it could spark a flame in the forward line for United and boost their chances of competing with Pep Guardiola's City.