Marco Asensio on the brink of 'signing a new contract at Real Madrid'

Marco Asensio is reportedly set to sign a new contract at Real Madrid to bring an end to long running negotiations with the Spanish club.

The forward's future has been uncertain in recent times with his current deal set to expire in the summer and a string of clubs looking on with interest over landing a free transfer.

It had looked like Asensio would depart at the end of the season having only been on the fringes of Carlo Ancelotti's squad at the start of the campaign.

However, he has played a bigger role since the World Cup and with Ancelotti also wanting the Spanish star to stay on, the Athletic report that expectations are now that Asensio is ready to commit his future to the club.

Asensio has been on the books at Madrid for nine years after signing from Real Mallorca, but following loans out has only been part of the first team since 2016.

A year later he signed a new contract - the one that is now on the brink of expiring.

The report indicates that while an agreement is inevitable, there are still negotiations continuing over the length of the contract.

Terms of four and five years are still in discussion and the salary agreement in line with these, although it doesn't appear to be too much of a hurdle for either side.

Asensio has been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle in recent times as well as Barcelona but with improved game time appears much happier to now stay at the Bernabeu.

He has scored five goals in his last nine games and during the Easter Weekend completed back-to-back 90 minutes in LaLiga for the first time this season, although Madrid ended up losing at home 3-2 to Villarreal following a 6-0 victory over Real Valladolid.

Talks are expected to slow in the coming weeks with Madrid's main focus now on the Champions League as they take on Chelsea in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Defeat at the weekend all but ended realistic hopes of winning LaLia as with just 10 games left they trail rivals Barcelona by a huge 13 points.

They will be keen to ensure they finish ahead of Atletico Madrid though who are just two points adrift and on a run of five straight wins.