Real Madrid make academy defender’s departure their top transfer priority – report

Real Madrid make academy defender’s departure their top transfer priority – report Real Madrid’s summer transfer business has entered a new phase. After securing four signings early in the window, the club’s focus has shifted toward outgoing transfers before pursuing any further reinforcements. One player has become central to those plans: Raul Asencio. According to journalist Guillermo Rai (via Inaki Angulo YouTube ), finding a new destination for the academy graduate is currently Real Madrid’s top priority, as the club looks to reshape Jose Mourinho’s squad ahead of the new season. A departure needed before another arrival Real Madrid’s intention was to have most of the squad finalized before pre-season began, but several decisions remain unresolved. Strengthening the centre-back position is still one of the club’s objectives despite signing Ibrahima Konate already. Real Madrid keen on selling Asencio. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images) However, before recruiting another defender, Los Blancos believe they must first reduce the number of players already competing for those places. Asencio has therefore become the leading candidate to leave . Although the defender would prefer to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, his situation is far from ideal. The La Fabrica product is already behind Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and new signing Konate in the pecking order. With Mourinho seeking another new central defender, Asencio would essentialy become the sixth-choice centre-back competing for two starting positions, making regular playing time extremely difficult. Given the situation, Real Madrid are actively looking for ways to offload the Spanish defender. Alessandro Bastoni and Tomas Araujo Lead the Shortlist Once Asencio’s future is resolved, Real Madrid are expected to intensify their search for a new central defender. Mourinho’s top target. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images) The club’s preferred option remains Alessandro Bastoni, with the Italian international sitting at the top of the shortlist. Any move for the Inter defender would likely require an investment of around €60 million . SL Benfica’s Tomas Araujo is also under consideration , as he is highly regarded by Mourinho. Transfer strategy clear Real Madrid’s approach is straightforward. Before adding another defender, the Merengues want to create space within the squad and maintain balance across the position. That makes resolving Asencio’s future the immediate priority. Once that objective is achieved, Real Madrid are expected to move quickly to complete the signing of a new centre-back capable of strengthening Mourinho’s defensive options for the season ahead.