Craig Burley says Kylian Mbappe's ego is out of control
Newcastle United could have a part to play in Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain exit, even if their prospects of landing the Frenchman are slim to none. With Real Madrid firmly in the equation, Eddie Howe's side could give them a timely cash injection with which to go after the forward as speculation around Marco Asensio intensifies.
Buoyed by vast riches, Newcastle had another productive window over the summer with a number of key areas addressed. Among others, Howe swooped for Alexander Isak to add more bite to the forward line, Sven Botman to add more solidity in defence and Nick Pope for reliability in goal.
Another winger was also believed to be on their hit list but, having run out of time, it was put on hold until January. Allan Saint-Maximin has been struck down with injury in recent weeks and, although Miguel Almiron is having a superb campaign out wide, the Magpies could surely use a player with a more reliable goal and assist record.
According to Calciomercato, Newcastle are keeping tabs on Asensio with a view to rivalling AC Milan to the Spaniard's signature.
Eddie Howe moving for Marco Asensio could give Real Madrid extra funds to chase Kylian Mbappe (Image: GETTY)
Asensio will be available for free when his contract expires next summer but the Toon could beat the rush and offer Real Madrid a transfer fee in January to get the deal done. The 26-year-old's price tag has previously been placed around the £35million mark but, with pressure mounting on Los Blancos to sell, he could be available for a slightly smaller fee.
Nevertheless, Madrid receiving a hefty sum after staring down the barrel of a painful free transfer exit could provide the necessary incentive to go all out for Mbappe. The PSG star is believed to be unhappy in the French capital amid rumours of a rift between himself and Neymar.
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He was widely expected to head to the Bernabeu during the summer but he delivered perhaps the window's greatest plot twist by signing a blockbuster new deal to keep him in Ligue 1. Although contracted to the Parisians until 2025, Los Blancos could surely thrash out a deal if they surpass the huge £166m sum PSG paid in 2017.
Whether Asensio is sold remains to be seen but Newcastle are sure to flex their financial muscles again in January. The Spaniard scored 10 La Liga goals last season - his best total for Madrid - although he is yet to have the same effect on Carlo Ancelotti's side this term.
Marco Asensio is into the final year of his Real Madrid contract (Image: GETTY)
"It’s clear that we have more than eleven that can play as starters because they all come off the bench with a lot of energy, and I’m very happy about it," said the Italian this week. "We haven’t talked about the issue of Asensio’s contract.
"He has played little but when he does, he shows that he can do it. He has been decisive and he will have more minutes in the future, and after the World Cup we will talk about his contractual position."
