Raúl Asencio has reportedly turned down opportunities to leave Real Madrid this summer, despite interest from Premier League clubs Chelsea and Liverpool. The 23-year-old defender is understood to have preferred staying at the Santiago Bernabéu and fighting for his place under José Mourinho.

The latest reports have added an interesting twist to Asencio’s situation at Real Madrid. The centre-back was considered a possible departure during the 2026 summer transfer window, but despite interest from abroad, he ultimately remained in Madrid.

According to reports citing Marca, Asencio had three significant opportunities to leave Real Madrid during the summer. Two of those approaches came from the Premier League, with Chelsea and Liverpool among the clubs interested in signing the Spanish defender. A third opportunity reportedly came from Turkey.

However, Asencio did not want to leave.

Asencio chooses to fight for his place

The central issue surrounding the defender was his position in Mourinho’s plans. Real Madrid were prepared to listen to offers for the player, particularly following changes to the defensive group.

Reports indicate that Asencio was regarded internally as a player who could leave, while Real Madrid strengthened its defence. Nevertheless, the defender decided that remaining at the Bernabéu was the right path for him.

This is significant because Asencio could have moved to the Premier League and potentially taken on a new challenge at either Chelsea or Liverpool. Instead, he opted to remain with his boyhood club and compete for minutes.

A report published on September 28 says Asencio had a release opportunity but never wanted to abandon Real Madrid. It also claims that Chelsea and Liverpool were among the clubs that showed interest in him.

There is, however, an important distinction concerning the wording of the viral claim.

While some reports describe Asencio as being offered to Chelsea and Liverpool, another report from Cadena SER stated that no significant offer actually arrived for the defender before the transfer window closed. According to that account, Real Madrid would not have minded selling him, but no concrete offer materialised.

Therefore, the safest description is that Chelsea and Liverpool were interested in Asencio and opportunities existed for him to leave, but the transfer did not happen.

Mourinho’s position on Asencio

José Mourinho’s comments have also made Asencio’s situation particularly interesting.

Speaking in September, Mourinho confirmed that he had spoken with the defender after arriving at Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager praised Asencio’s professionalism during training and his commitment while recovering from injury.

Mourinho said that when Asencio was fit, few players trained harder, while during his rehabilitation he was regularly among the first players to arrive and the last to leave.

The manager also stressed that being a Real Madrid player comes with responsibilities both on and off the pitch.

Despite the controversy surrounding Asencio away from football, Mourinho made clear that the defender remained part of the Real Madrid squad while the club dealt with the matter internally.

Injury delayed his opportunity

Asencio’s decision to stay was followed by an unfortunate setback: an injury suffered during pre-season kept him out of action.

The defender subsequently returned to training and was included in Real Madrid’s squad to face Rayo Vallecano in September. His return was viewed as an important development because it gave him another opportunity to compete for a place in Mourinho’s defence.

That return could prove particularly important for a player who deliberately chose competition at Real Madrid over a move elsewhere.

Rather than leaving for guaranteed opportunities, Asencio appears determined to establish himself at the club where he developed.

Chelsea and Liverpool interest adds intrigue

For Chelsea and Liverpool, Asencio’s situation is also worth monitoring.

Both clubs have regularly been linked with defensive reinforcements, and the availability of a 23-year-old centre-back with experience at Real Madrid naturally makes him an attractive option.

But Asencio’s decision means there is no immediate transfer story to complete. He remains a Real Madrid player and is focused on competing for his position.

Recent reporting continues to describe the summer as a period in which the defender had opportunities to move but ultimately rejected them.

What happens next?

The biggest question is now whether Asencio can turn his decision to stay into a regular role under Mourinho.

His choice has already demonstrated his desire to remain at Real Madrid, but competition for places at the Bernabéu remains intense. His performances, fitness and Mourinho’s tactical preferences will determine how much playing time he receives.

For now, the situation is straightforward: Raúl Asencio remains at Real Madrid despite reported interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

The viral claim that he was simply “offered” to both clubs needs some qualification because reports differ over whether formal offers were actually submitted. What is consistent across the reporting is that Asencio had opportunities to leave, but chose to stay in Madrid and fight for his place.

With the 2026/27 season underway, his decision now enters its next phase. The defender has chosen competition at the Bernabéu. The coming months will show how Mourinho uses him and whether Asencio can establish himself as a regular part of Real Madrid’s defensive plans.