Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful that Marco Asensio will sign a new deal at the club.
The 27-year-old has been a regular for Los Blancos during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 41 occasions in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering seven assists in the process.
Asensio's contract at Bernabeu is due to expire at the end of June, though, meaning that, as it stands, he will be leaving on a free transfer ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Real Madrid are thought to be working on a new deal for the Spain international, but it remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached over personal terms.
Asensio expressed his happiness at the club when he spoke to the media after scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga.
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The forward has now scored four goals and registered two assists in his last five league appearances, while he has seven goals and two assists in his last 11 outings in Spain's top flight.
Asensio is again expected to start against Girona on Tuesday evening, with Karim Benzema left out of the squad due to a minor injury.
Ancelotti was asked about the forward during his pre-match press conference and said that he was hopeful that an agreement would be reached over a new contract.
"I like him a lot as a player. Many coaches and clubs like him because of the characteristics he has. I hope he can stay here with us," Ancelotti told reporters on Monday afternoon.
A number of Premier League and Serie A clubs are believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation in the Spanish capital, with a new contract far from certain.
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Ancelotti was also asked about Eden Hazard on Monday and admitted that he 'has not spoken much' with the Belgium international, who is not in the squad for Tuesday's game due to a training-ground injury.
The 32-year-old continues to struggle for action this season, only featuring on nine occasions in all competitions, scoring one goal and registering two assists in the process.
"We haven't spoken much. I don't ask players to come and talk. If they need to talk, I'm always ready," said the Real Madrid manager when asked about the Belgian.
Hazard has a contract at Bernabeu until the summer of 2024 and is expected to refuse an exit this year in order to see out the final year of his deal in the Spanish capital.
As well as Hazard and Benzema, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy will be missing against Girona through injury, while Dani Ceballos is suspended for the European and Spanish champions.
Matt Law
