Liverpool have been sounded out over a possible summer move for Raúl Asencio, but the story is not moving quickly. No formal talks have taken place and a deal is not imminent currently. The 23-year-old Real Madrid defender still wants to stay and fight for his place, which is where the move gets stuck.

Madrid's position and Asencio's stance

The opening in this story comes from Madrid, not Liverpool. Jose Mourinho has held direct talks with Asencio and told him he is not in his long-term plans, which is why the possibility of an exit is being discussed at all.

Even so, the player is not pushing for it. A TEAMtalk source said: "Asencio has no desire to leave the Spanish giants and remains determined to fight for his place." That is the biggest obstacle for Liverpool, because interest from one side means little if the player does not want the move.

The numbers also show why Madrid are not dealing with a fringe option. Asencio made 34 appearances last term and played over 2,000 minutes in a second successive campaign. He has also played 80 times for Real Madrid over two seasons and can operate at centre-back or right-back, which makes him a useful squad piece even if Mourinho does not see him as part of the long-term picture.

What Liverpool are working with

For Liverpool, the appeal is obvious enough. They have been linked with a possible route into a deal, and that matters because they are still building out defensive options ahead of the new season. The club are fifth in the 2025 Premier League standings, while Real Madrid finished second in La Liga, so both sides are dealing from a position of strength rather than desperation.

Fabrizio Romano's update on Bradley Barcola is a reminder that Liverpool are already active in the market elsewhere, but it should not be mixed up with the Asencio situation. This one remains at the sounding-out stage, with the defender leaning towards staying put. For now, Real Madrid hold the more important card, because Asencio's own stance is the biggest reason the move has not progressed.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →