Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has officially informed defender Raúl Asencio that he does not feature in the club's plans for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements as the manager reshapes his defensive unit at Valdebebas.
Asencio’s future has been subject to uncertainty for some time. The competition for places in the Real Madrid backline has intensified significantly following the high-profile acquisition of Ibrahima Konaté and the contract extension granted to Antonio Rüdiger. With Dean Huijsen also in the squad and Éder Militão currently sidelined, Asencio has found himself on the fringes of the first-team setup.
Despite the club's stance, it is understood that the player remains keen to stay at the Santiago Bernabéu to compete for playing time under the new coaching staff. According to journalist Sergio Valentín, Mourinho held a direct conversation with the defender to communicate that he is not counting on him. The report further indicates that the club and agent Jorge Mendes are actively working to facilitate a move that satisfies all parties, even as Asencio expresses his desire to remain with the team.
Mourinho’s decision to move on from the defender comes as the Portuguese tactician continues to look for further reinforcements to strengthen the heart of his defense before the summer transfer window concludes.
The broader transfer landscape remains busy, with reports indicating that a move for Asencio to Benfica collapsed due to a buy-back clause. Meanwhile, Arsenal have held discussions regarding the potential signing of both Barcelona’s Ferran Torres and Real Madrid’s Raúl Asencio. Elsewhere, Liverpool are considering a move for a Real Madrid winger if they fail to sign Bradley Barcola, though this does not include Vinicius Junior. Additionally, there is speculation on how Liverpool might capitalize on Real Madrid’s difficult situation regarding Diomande. Analysts are also currently predicting which clubs the summer's biggest free agents will join. Finally, the Premier League has issued a statement explaining why Tottenham were not awarded a penalty against Leeds, a decision that denied James Maddison a significant moment upon his return from injury.
