Raúl Asencio's future has been the subject of rumors over the past few days. Besiktas wanted to sign the center-back before the Turkish transfer window closed, but Real Madrid refused. The final decision rests with Xabi Alonso, who believes the young defender remains a key asset for the club.
Besiktas's interest
Besiktas is going through a delicate moment. After being eliminated from the Conference League by Lausanne, the Turkish club decided to part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and turn to Sergen Yalçın. The board is looking to strengthen a defense that has shown weaknesses, and the local transfer window remained open until September 12.
According to Turkish and Spanish media, the intention was to get Raúl Asencio on loan for one season, with a purchase option until 2026. The center-back's profile was a perfect fit: young, fast, and with room for growth. In addition, Besiktas wanted Asencio to complement players like Gabriel Paulista, Tiago Djaló, and Udokhai.
Real Madrid's shield
The response from Chamartín was immediate: no. At Valdebebas, they trust Asencio still has much to contribute. Despite having experienced ups and downs, the club believes his projection is long-term.
The young defender had a 2024-25 season full of contrasts. He logged important minutes in LaLiga and made 28 official appearances, with 78% of duels won.
However, certain mistakes, such as those made in the Club World Cup, affected his confidence and that of the locker room. Even so, his versatility and international experience at 22 are valued by Xabi Alonso and the coaching staff.
Internal competition as strength
Real Madrid has a solid defensive wall: Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger lead the backline, while Dean Huijsen has burst onto the scene. This competition has relegated Asencio to a secondary role, but Xabi Alonso believes internal competition benefits the team. With LaLiga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey ahead, having alternatives like Asencio will be key.
Closed doors... for now
Besiktas, despite the refusal, doesn't rule out insisting in the winter. In fact, in Türkiye, there is talk that they may have also inquired about David Alaba. However, Real Madrid's message is clear: Raúl Asencio won't move in this window, for now, his future remains tied to Santiago Bernabéu.
The white club prefers to keep the squad intact and continue betting on its academy players. Xabi Alonso's decision is clear: Asencio will keep growing in Madrid and could establish himself as a defender of the future.