Real Madrid president Florentino Perez regards Marco Asensio as his 'personal' project player, it has been revealed.

El Confidencial says ever since signing Asensio from Real Mallorca in 2016, Perez has earmarked him as a Galactico. Indeed, the president has blocked the addition of players who could potentially threaten the youngster's progress.

Asensio attracted offers of €150m over the summer, with Liverpool and PSG linked to the Spain international, but Florentino would not countenance losing the youngster.

Florentino has described Asensio as his "diamond" to fellow directors and despite the prospect of making a massive profit on his original €3.5m investment, the president sees the youngster as a pillar of the club.