Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender determined to stay potentially blocking Alessandro Bastoni move
According to Bernabeu Digital, Raul Asencio has no intention of leaving Real Madrid this summer, even if his departure would pave the way for the arrival of Inter Milan ace Alessandro Bastoni.
The young centre-back is reportedly determined to fight for his place under Jose Mourinho, believing he can convince the Portuguese coach that he deserves a role in the first-team squad.
No desire to leave
According to the report, Asencio has made it clear that he does not want to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The defender remains committed to continuing his development at Real Madrid and has no interest in pursuing a move away from the club.
Although he has attracted interest from the Premier League, with Chelsea among the clubs linked to him, Asencio is said to have no intention of listening to offers.
Real Madrid waiting for departures
Real Madrid’s transfer strategy means further arrivals are expected only if players leave first.
Club officials have informed Mourinho that no additional signings will be made until space is created in the squad.
The Portuguese manager is believed to be seeking both a central midfielder and a left-footed centre-back, with Bastoni among the defenders admired by the coaching staff.
Fifth choice in defence
As things stand, Asencio appears to be the defender most likely to make way.
The current centre-back hierarchy includes Ibrahima Konate, who recently joined the club, Antonio Rudiger, fresh from signing a new contract, Dean Huijsen, viewed as a key player for the future, and Eder Militao, who is recovering from injury but expected to return.
That leaves Asencio as the fifth-choice defender in the hierarchy as the most realistic candidate to depart if Madrid decide to strengthen further in central defence.
Despite the situation, Asencio remains confident that he can prove himself during pre-season.
Rather than opening the door for another signing, the Canary Islands-born defender wants to show Mourinho that Real Madrid already have everything they need in his position.
His priority is clear: stay at the club, compete for minutes, and earn his place on merit.
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
