Real Madrid Transfer News: Jese Rodriguez Targeted by Napoli, Latest Rumours

Napoli are reportedly ready to ask Real Madrid if they can take young winger Jese Rodriguez on loan during the midseason window.

That’s according to AS (h/t Football Italia), who note that the 22-year-old has really been struggling for minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu this season. So far this campaign, Jese has only played 74 minutes in La Liga for the Spanish giants and is in danger of not fulfilling the glittering potential he showcased earlier in his career.

Here’s a look at what Jese is capable of conjuring at his very best:

There’s no way he’s going to reach those levels if he’s on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to Alejandro Alcazar of Sport, manager Rafa Benitez has insisted that Jese needs to work harder to earn his place in the team, and in the same piece, it’s claimed by Javier Matallanas of Punto Pelota that the manager does not enjoy the winger’s strong interest in music.

As noted here by Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, regardless of what’s occurred behind the scenes, it’s clear that Jese has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid:

If players like Denis Cheryshev and Lucas Vazquez have made it into the team before Jese, things seem bleak moving forward. After all, ahead of those three in the forward positions are Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. As such, Jese needs to either knuckle down in the Spanish capital or pursue a loan deal elsewhere.

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Napoli, Benitez’s former club, would certainly be a tantalising option and would give the winger a chance to rediscover his spark. A change of scenery could also galvanise a young player who has had tough luck with injuries as of late. Hopefully, he'd return to Los Blancos as a man emboldened, fit and ready to forge a strong place in the squad.

Marco Asensio Discusses Real Madrid Return

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Real Madrid’s on-loan midfielder Marco Asensio has been tearing it up for Espanyol in his first few outings for the club, but he was coy when asked if he would be ready to make an impact for Los Blancos.

Asensio has impressed in both of his starts for the Catalan side so far, dazzling opposition defenders with intelligent movement, quick feet and sharp passing. The fundamentals seem to be in place for Asensio to be a hit at Real, but he’s insisted he isn’t looking beyond this season with Espanyol at the moment, per Cristina Navarro of Marca:

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It's still early days to be thinking about whether I will return to Real Madrid, or not. It is a case of waiting to see what the end of the season brings.

I try to ignore what people are saying. I just go out and try to train and play well. I've got good people around me here in Barcelona and they are always acting in my best interests. I'm really very relaxed about it all.

"

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The manner in which Asensio has taken to being a key part of this Espanyol team is hugely encouraging for Real. As sports journalist Phil Kitromilides revealed, the fans at Power8 Stadium are already hugely fond of the teenager:

Going out on loan looks to have been the best decision for Asensio, who would have really struggled for playing time with Los Blancos. Being a vital component in a decent Espanyol team will be superb for his development, and when he does head back to the capital, he will do so a much more rounded, experienced footballer.

It’s the kind of move a player like Jese may look at when pondering his own future. After all, there’s no shame in not getting in Real’s first team, but too long spent on the fringes of the side can easily derail a promising career.