Chelsea and Liverpool have reportedly missed out on Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, according to EPL Index (Opta Stats), after the centre-back opted to stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu rather than pursue a switch to the Premier League.
The report suggests both English clubs had shown genuine interest in Asencio, viewing him as a potential long-term addition to their backlines, only for the young Spaniard to resist the lure of regular first-team football elsewhere. Instead, he has chosen to bet on himself within Real Madrid's famously competitive squad, betting that patience and persistence will eventually earn him a foothold under the club's coaching staff.
For Chelsea, who have been active in strengthening their defensive options, and Liverpool, who continue to assess their long-term centre-back plans, the outcome represents another setback in their pursuit of La Liga talent. Asencio's decision underlines the growing trend of young players prioritising a future at Europe's biggest clubs over immediate playing time abroad — a gamble EPL Index notes could still pay off handsomely if he breaks through at Madrid.