Real Madrid 21-year-old academy ace set for first-team berth after rejecting summer offers

Real Madrid’s lack of depth in the centre-back department has once again been laid bare just three weeks into the new season.

With David Alaba still sidelined with his ACL rupture, Real Madrid, over the past few days, have lost two more centre-backs – Eder Militao and Jacobo Ramon – to fresh injuries.

It has left manager Carlo Ancelotti with only Antonio Rudiger as his primary option in defence, considering Jesus Vallejo’s questionable fitness levels since his return from a loan spell at Granada.

As such, the Real Madrid boss will once again be forced to turn to Castilla for a solution, and he will not have to look further than a certain Raul Asencio.

Asencio set for a first-team spot

Indeed, according to AS, in light of the injury woes that have struck Real Madrid in recent days, Raul Asencio is set to be called up to the first-team setup to plug in the gaps.

Asencio, 21, has been a part of La Fabrica since 2017 when he joined from the Las Palmas academy, and has since grown steadily through the ranks, establishing himself as a key member of the Castilla outfit under Raul Gonzalez.

Ancelotti has had Asencio up to train with the senior team on several occasions and has named him in matchday squads at times as well.

The Spanish starlet will be in action tonight for Castilla against Villarreal B and, in all likelihood, be pushed to the first team after the international break, with chances of him being in the squad for the Real Sociedad clash being quite high.

Rated highly

It must be noted that Asencio had a chance to leave Real Madrid this summer as he had offers from two La Liga clubs.

Indeed, Las Palmas and Girona were interested in the 21-year-old starlet but Madrid did not want to let go of a footballer who was a key player for Raul and with great potential. Not for the amounts that were on the table, at least.

The Canary Islander is held in very high regard by those at Valdebebas – who define him as a “First Division centre-back” – especially for his quality with the ball at his feet.

Asencio has a contract with Real Madrid until 2026, and could again have offers next year. But for now, the 21-year-old seems likely to be on his way to a run with the first team.