Liverpool have again been linked with a move for Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, with the Spaniard's future expected to lie away from the club.

The Lowdown: Asensio saga rumbles on...

The Reds have been tipped to sign the 26-year-old in recent weeks, as they look at potentially replacing Sadio Mane during the summer transfer window.

Asensio lost his regular place in the Madrid team last season, with Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde preferred out wide in the Champions League final win over Liverpool, and recent reports have boosted Liverpool's chances as the player is now expected to leave.

The Spain international has just one year remaining on his current deal.

The Latest: Journalist drops update

According to COPE journalist Melchor Ruiz [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are definitely in the conversation, with Asensio getting 'increasingly' closer to the Madrid exit door.

He has 'decided to listen' to offers from elsewhere, which is where both the Reds and AC Milan are mentioned, although neither are picked out as favourites to sign him.

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The Verdict: Still feels unlikely

Asensio has already had a brilliant career, winning the Champions League three times, among numerous other trophies - Jorge Valdano once compared him to Lionel Messi - so it is easy to envisage him being a force at Liverpool.

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He has become an injury-prone player in recent years, however, which immediately works against the move happening, with no more than 21 La Liga starts coming his way in a single campaign since the 2015/16 season.

Asensio would also have to be content with playing second fiddle to Mohamed Salah on the right-hand side, putting him in a similar squad role to the one he's currently seeking out of in Madrid. For that reason, Milan feel the more likely to snap him up.