Real Madrid are ready to open contract talks with breakthrough centre-back Raul Asencio, a report has revealed.
Asencio, 21, has been thrust into the limelight this season after Eder Militao's second ACL injury, coupled with David Alaba's ongoing fitness battle, left Antonio Rudiger and reserve option Jesus Vallejo as the team's only recognised defenders.
Starting alongside Rudiger, Asencio has now played four times for Carlo Ancelotti's side, helping inspire three consecutive clean sheets in La Liga to close the gap to Barcelona at the top of the standings.
Asencio is currently under contract until 2026 but Fabrizio Romano notes that Madrid are already planning to offer him an extension and reward his emergence with a well-deserved pay rise.
AS expect that proposal to come at the end of the season. Madrid are in no rush as his current deal includes a 50m (�41.4m) release clause, while Asencio himself is happy to wait while he focuses on establishing himself in the first team.
Indeed, Asencio's desire to play for Madrid is so strong that he is reported to have snubbed the chance to join the City Football Group, whose portfolio includes Premier League giants Manchester City, during the summer.
CFG officials offered Madrid 6m (�5m) to cash in on Asencio before his senior debut and had planned to secure his signature for La Liga rivals Girona, but the centre-back rejected the chance to leave because he saw the possibility of making a breakthrough at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"He has surprised me, especially the maturity he has, the calmness he shows in handling game situations," Ancelotti said of Asencio. "He is never worried, you never see him afraid, he is very confident.
"He has already passed the test of fire, he can be considered a player of our squad with all the merit, because he deserves it."
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