Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has publicly urged Marco Asensio to stay put at the Bernabeu as he runs down the final few months of his contract.
As things stand, the Spain international could depart on a free transfer at the end of the season, and an extension has appeared unlikely given his standing in the squad.
Asensio is behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the attacking pecking order, while Federico Valverde is also preferred on the right-wing.
Despite being a bit-part player under Ancelotti, Asensio has posted some crucial contributions throughout the campaign, including Los Blancos' second goal in their 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Chelsea on Wednesday.
A host of clubs in the Premier League and abroad - most notably Barcelona - are believed to have been keeping tabs on Asensio's situation ahead of his expected departure from the Bernabeu this summer.
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However, it has since been claimed that Asensio has performed a U-turn on his future and is on the brink of signing a new long-term deal for the next four or five years.
When asked by Marca about Asensio's future, Ancelotti - who previously claimed that he "did not care" about the 27-year-old's contract situation - waxed lyrical about his winger and hopes that an agreement can be reached for him to stay on.
"I hope he stays here at Real Madrid. It's crucial to have a player like Marco in the squad, he can always help with goals and assists in any moment. I trust him, he always scores," Ancelotti said.
"Rodrygo takes more risks because he's more direct and he takes defenders on more often. Marco moves really nicely in the spaces between the lines and he has an unbelievable shot on him.
"I really appreciate him because he tends to score every game he plays, whether he plays from the start or comes off the bench. He's decisive in any squad because he can change the game with his goals and assists."
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Newcastle United were believed to have been considering a move for Asensio, but the Magpies will seemingly have to move on to other targets to bolster their attacking ranks.
Prior to Asensio's strike, Karim Benzema had drawn first blood for Real Madrid against Chelsea, who welcome the champions to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on Tuesday.
Asensio graduated from Mallorca's youth academy before sealing a £3.5m move to Real in 2015, and the Spaniard now has 58 goals and 30 assists to show from 273 games for the La Liga holders in all tournaments.
The attacker's statistics include nine goals and six assists from 38 games in the current season, but he has only started nine games in La Liga and a further two in the Champions League.
Real sit 13 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table ahead of tonight's showdown with relegation-threatened Cadiz.
Ben Knapton
