Real Madrid Prepares for Turkish Clubs' Pursuit of Rising Academy Star

Turkish club Beşiktaş are said to be pursuing Real Madrid center-back Raúl Asencio ahead of the closure of Türkiye's summer transfer window.

Real Madrid's defensive struggles plagued their latest season under Carlo Ancelotti's management. The Madrid club allowed 83 goals in all competitions during the previous campaign while dealing with injury problems that kept Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy sidelined for lengthy spells.

Among the few defensive positives for Los Blancos during their disappointing 2024–25 season was Asencio. The 22-year-old was promoted from Real Madrid Castilla and integrated into Ancelotti's defense, facing top opponents including Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal in crucial fixtures.

This breakthrough campaign has apparently attracted attention from the Süper Lig. Per AS, Beşiktaş are seeking a central defender and view Asencio as an ideal candidate. The Turkish side has identified the Spanish player as their main target for this transfer window, though Real Madrid reportedly have no intention of releasing the defender.

Real Madrid recently named Asencio in their 2025–26 Champions League roster and have shown no signs of wanting to sell the Spain international despite his struggles at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Asencio featured as a starter in just three games during the expanded tournament and made crucial mistakes in each appearance. The Real Madrid Castilla graduate gave away a penalty versus Al Hilal, was sent off against Pachuca and allowed Fabián Ruiz to score PSG's opening goal in the semifinal clash.

Dean Huijsen, Militão and Antonio Rüdiger all rank higher than Asencio in Xabi Alonso's defensive hierarchy, leaving the previous season's breakthrough star with limited prospects for regular playing time going forward.

Logically, selling the defender would appear to be a sensible decision for Real Madrid, but neither the club nor the player appear interested in pursuing such an arrangement. Beşiktaş may still submit a formal offer for Asencio, however, as Türkiye's transfer window remains open until Sept. 12.