He won the Champions League, he's a legend, he's coming to Liverpool for free, and he'll wear Mane's 10

Marco Asensio has told Real Madrid director general José Ángel Sánchez that he does not accept the renewal proposal presented to him by the club, the second in months of negotiations, and is closer to leaving Real Madrid after seven years to begin a new stage outside Spain. Unhappy with the role he has played at Real Madrid in decisive matches - just one minute in the final of the Copa del Rey and 29 in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City - Marco Asensio's desire is to start a new adventure at a club where he can be a benchmark player.

That is what he told Real Madrid on Friday, according to sources present at the negotiations, who see the player's renewal option receding despite the club's improved proposal following his good performance this season. Asensio has scored 12 goals in 50 appearances for Real Madrid this season and is the fourth-highest scorer in the squad despite not being among the eleven players who have played the most minutes. He is also the fourth best assist man with eight assists, and is the most important player in the squad coming off the bench.

The player's agent, Portuguese Jorge Mendes, will hold a final meeting with Real Madrid at the end of the season, in nine days, after the last LaLiga match. Real Madrid already know the player's opinion and must decide whether to improve their proposal or let go of a player they signed in the 2014-15 season, when he began to shine at Mallorca, and loaned for a year to Espanyol before he began a run at the club with whom he has made 285 appearances and won 17 titles.

Liverpool is an option

His market value is 28 million euros and he can join any club on a free transfer. Among those clubs is Liverpool, who due to their failure to qualify for the Champions League will not have the desired funds, so they are looking for this type of market opportunity and to convince him they could offer him the 10 shirt that Sadio Mane wore for many years.