There may be updates in the market soon. Raúl Asencio is the gem of the winter market and all the big clubs in Europe know it.
Carlo Ancelotti is playing with fire and might get burned. The coach is obsessed with trusting Aurélien Tchouaméni, who isn't a center-back.
The Club Wants to Renew His Contract at the End of the Season
He prefers Raúl Asencio, who moves like a fish in the water in that position. The whim could cost Real Madrid dearly.
Asencio has a contract with Real Madrid until 2026. The club has asked his agent to negotiate a new contract at the end of the season, a year before the current one expires.
However, what he is experiencing at Real Madrid in recent weeks isn't to his liking. He even received the opportunity from Ancelotti to cover for the absences of Militão and Carvajal.
Asencio has performed well in all the matches he has played, but Ancelotti doesn't trust him.
He has preferred to play Tchouaméni in his position, who isn't a natural center-back and it shows. Meanwhile, Asencio languished on the bench, powerless because he couldn't help his teammates.
Asencio Doesn't Like What He is Seeing
The return of the French international has ended his dream and now he's doomed to watch from the bench the matches his teammates play.
The club has asked him to wait until the end of the season to address the issue of his transfer. But the truth is Asencio isn't sure. He doesn't like what he's seeing at all.
He is a Madridist and his dream is to play for Real Madrid, the team he loves, but Ancelotti makes it difficult. He doesn't count on him.
Moreover, he prefers to use Tchouaméni out of position rather than rely on his services.
Asencio is suspicious. If Ancelotti continues, he is willing to consider leaving Bernabéu.
Joan Martínez, the New Sergio Ramos, is Ahead of Him
Additionally, Asencio knows that Joan Martínez, the Valencian center-back currently injured, is ahead of him in Ancelotti's preferences.
Joan Martínez is known as the new Sergio Ramos of the youth academy. Ancelotti was impressed with him this summer during the North American tour. However, a serious injury has derailed his career, and that's where Asencio came in.
If Joan Martínez can be the new Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid, many see Asencio at Valdebebas as the new Nacho. That is, a long-serving center-back with an extensive service record at the white club.
Girona Showed Interest in Him
Asencio received an offer from Girona last summer, when he hadn't yet made a name for himself in Spanish soccer. Asencio chose to bet on Real Madrid, and it has worked out well, even though he doesn't have Ancelotti's full confidence.
What happens with the coach in the short-term future will determine Asencio's fate. Although Madrid guarantees him a spot in the team next season, significant offers have reached Asencio that might make him reconsider.
Nothing would make him happier than renewing that contract that ends in 2026. And doing so while being useful in the first team, increasing his release clause and salary. However, he will evaluate what Real Madrid offers him and what the teams interested in him offer.
The Comparison with Tchouaméni Leaves No Room for Doubt
If he could see his future in a crystal ball and saw himself playing for Real Madrid, he wouldn't accept more offers. However, he thinks he's at an age where he can't waste time on the bench.
Asencio doesn't understand why Ancelotti insists on placing Tchouaméni as a center-back when his performance there has been more effective. According to data from @BeSoccer_Pro, in the 615 minutes Raúl Asencio has played as a center-back, Real Madrid has conceded 5 goals. 1 every 123 minutes.
Tchouaméni, on the other hand, has played 929 minutes in the center-back position, with 15 goals conceded. 1 every 62 minutes.
Comparisons are odious; this one, even more so. There's no comparison between Asencio and Tchouaméni in the center-back position.
Chelsea is Willing to Pay His Release Clause
All of Madrid sees it, except Ancelotti. His performance hasn't gone unnoticed. Reports from England indicate that Chelsea would be willing to pay the 50 million of his release clause to acquire the player.
In Madrid, the rumor has started circulating that Atlético de Madrid has shown interest in him. They would have advised the player's agent not to renew the contract with Real Madrid, which expires in 2026. In exchange for his arrival at no cost, Atlético would wait for him in a year and a half with a star contract.
Florentino Pérez would do well to solve the issue before it becomes a problem.