Marco Asensio set to join PSG from Real Madrid on a free

Don't look now, but Marco Asensio is about to become the second official signing of PSG ahead of the 2023/24 season once his current contract with Real Madrid runs out by the end of June. He will arrive in Paris as a free agent.

The news broke out on Thursday, and L'Equipe provided detailed information regarding Marco Asensio's move to PSG.

First of all, the Parisian club will keep adding players to their roster without having to pay for them, with Asensio following Milan Skriniar as the second free agent expected to land in the capital next July. The Inter Milan defender already pre-signed a deal with PSG back in February, and Asensio is expected to do the same later this week or in the next few days before his deal at Real Madrid runs out.

Again, L'Equipe revealed on Thursday that Asensio "has yet to sign any formal agreement," although they also informed that the deal is "just a matter of days away." According to the French newspaper, Asensio's relationship with Real Madrid's management "deteriorated in the past few months, despite their offer of a four-season contract extension earlier this year."

L'Equipe said that "as spring approached, Asensio's desire to leave intensified." The outlet also revealed that "certain English clubs, such as Aston Villa, expressed interest in Asensio," although the Spain international (35 caps) opted to join PSG when the opportunity arose and the club offered him a deal believed to be in the €10m-per-year ballpark.

This decision was undoubtedly influenced by his agent, Jorge Mendes, who shares an excellent rapport with Luis Campos (PSG sporting advisor) and represents several players at the Parisian club including Renato Sanches, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery, and El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

The most ridiculous thing about this deal is that it looks awfully similar to the one that saw Carlos Soler arrive in Paris last season--and you know how that one has turned out, with the Spanish player being below mediocre in the capital.

Not only that, but Asensio is also going to earn nearly three times what Real Madrid reportedly offered him a few months ago when they floated a €4m-per-year salary on a four-year deal to their player. He is reportedly going to make €10m a pop in Paris. Sheesh...

Asensio failed at getting into the starting XI at Real Madrid after they signed him, and it's going to be really hard for him to break through the PSG lineup, either, no matter who is in charge of the team on the bench next season.

It is believed that Asensio, still "only" 27 years old, will embrace a reserve role at Paris Saint-Germain similar to the one he was under while at Real Madrid. No wonder, considering his hefty salary if the numbers reported by L'Equipe end up being the real deal.

This transfer isn't entirely bad because PSG won't be paying a dollar to Real Madrid in order to land the player, a free agent, but even then it makes no sense considering the salary and the super-diminished role he'll play.