José Mourinho informs Real Madrid star that ‘he is not counting on him’ for next season | OneFootball

New Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has informed a member of his defensive ranks that he has been deemed surplus to requirements at the club with a view to next season.

The player in question? Raúl Asencio.

Stopper Asencio has for his part long seen his future in Spain’s capital thrown up in the air. Following the arrival of Ibrahima Konaté, and the contract renewal afforded to Antonio Rüdiger, the 23-year-old has been labelled by many as the odd man out in a backline also featuring the talents of Dean Huijsen and the sidelined Éder Militão.

Asencio is understood to be eager to stay put, to battle for minutes under the watch of the new coaching staff at Valdebebas.

But as alluded to above, if the latest word stemming from the Spanish media is anything to go by, then the decision to move the all-action defender on already appears to have been made.

As per a report from Real Madrid journalist Sergio Valentín:

‘José Mourinho has spoken with Raúl Asencio. He has told him that he is not counting on him. The club and Jorge Mendes are working on finding him an exit that suits him because Asencio wants to stay.’

Mourinho’s eagerness to part with Asencio comes with the Portuguese eyeing one more addition to the heart of his backline before the summer is out.

Conor Laird – GSFN