Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back.
The 22-year-old has been the latest success story of the Castilla academy system this season, benefitting from injuries to Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger to come a regular in defence.
Asencio has made 25 senior appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's men in the current campaign, providing two assists as Los Blancos sit behind Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table due to an inferior head-to-head record.
The youngster has started eight top-flight contests and four Champions League battles for Real Madrid in the 2024-25 season, but he will be in the last 12 months of his contract in July.
Premier League upstarts Nottingham Forest are said to have been alerted to his situation, tabling a €40m (£33m) bid for the Spaniard, one that was quickly rebuffed by the European champions.
Real Madrid's Asencio interesting 'several teams'
© Imago
Real may have little choice but to accept such substantial bids this summer if Asencio does not agree a new deal, though, as they are at risk of losing him for nothing when 2026 rolls around.
That eventuality might become a reality, as Fichajes claims that Asencio has rejected the club's first offer of a new contract, which did not satisfy the demands of his entourage.
The 22-year-old and his camp supposedly believe that his rise to first-team prominence warrants a significant pay rise, but the Real board are not willing to sanction the increase he is after.
While Los Blancos are still keen to keep him on the books, they do not want to fork out a staggering amount on a renewal if Asencio is simply going to play a backup role to Militao, Alaba, Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni in the future.
On the Spaniard's part, he is said to be calm in negotiations given that clubs both inside and outside of La Liga are showing an interest in him, and he will not hesitate to jump ship if his current team cannot match his demands.
Nevertheless, Asencio is still taking stock of his options while there are three months left in the season, and it remains to be seen if Real Madrid come forward with an improved contract offer.
Which teams could benefit from Asencio signing?
© Imago
It is not clear which foreign clubs have shown an interest in Asencio besides Forest, who will be expected to try again for the 22-year-old this summer if Murillo is seduced by an offer elsewhere.
Both Barcelona and Chelsea are thought to have put Murillo on their radars for the summer, although both teams could do worse than look at Asencio, even if the former will have a hard time negotiating with their Clasico rivals.
Elsewhere in England, Manchester United could lose both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof this summer, while the future of Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is still slightly uncertain as he runs down the last few months of his deal.
Even if Van Dijk does choose to stay, Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez may all move on, and Asencio might jump at the chance to work under the wing of one of the finest centre-backs in the game right now.
Ben Knapton
