World Cup star prefers transfer to Chelsea, will reject Liverpool

Chelsea are linked with a host of names in the summer transfer market but not many are likely to get fans as excited as Marco Asensio.

The Real Madrid and Spain ace is heavily linked with an exit from the Champions League winners due to inconsistent playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu, leading to speculation that he could move to the Premier League.

Liverpool are said to be long-term admirers of the 22-year-old but Jurgen Klopp’s side could miss out, as Spanish outlet Don Balon claim the Spain international would prefer to move to London to join Chelsea.

However, Real Madrid understandably do not want to lose a player who is widely regarded to be one of the best prospects within world football and Chelsea would have to pay an audacious sum to secure a deal – which they would struggle to offer due to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and the absence of Champions League football.