Real Madrid Star Rejects Manchester City Offer, Reports AS

As explained by AS, which cited anonymous sources, a Real Madrid star rejected an offer from Manchester City last summer which has proven to be a masterstroke in the short term.

Raul Asencio is now considered a member of Carlo Ancelotti's first team squad as confirmed by the Italian at a prematch press conference that previewed an important La Liga clash with Athletic Club on Wednesday.

In the heart of the back line alongside Toni Rudiger, Asencio is expected to start in San Mames and has been immovable from the starting line up since a 4-0 win over Osasuna ahead of the November international break.

That fixture saw Ancelotti lose three men to injuries in the first half alone. One of them was Eder Militao, who suffered his second ACL rupture in two seasons and was replaced by a 21-year-old Asencio thrown in the deep end at the Bernabeu.

The academy product took to the assignment like a duck to water, and almost immediately provided an assist for Jude Bellingham to score what was his first goal of the season.

Ancelotti in particular is a fan of the youngster, who he says has "shown himself to be a trusted centre-back".

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"He absolutely does not lack knowledge of the position. He's very well positioned, confident and motivated. He has contributed a lot in these four games. If one day I have to sit him on the bench I have to think about it carefully...," Ancelotti confessed.

Ancelotti also said that he has been surprised by Asencio's "maturity", "calmness" and how he handles "game situations".

"He's never worried. You never look at him with fear, [because] he's very confident. He's already passed the litmus test, [and] he can be considered a player in our squad with all the merit, because he deserves it".

AS explains how the City Group that owns Manchester City came in for Asencio with a €6 million ($6.3 million) offer last summer, with a view to sending him to Girona as seen with talents such as Brazil international Savinho.

Yet Asencio turned down the opportunity after being taken on Madrid's preseason tour of the United States, and seeing that there might be a way to break through to the first team.

Such a decision has proven to be a masterstroke from the Las Palmas native, who is now worth a lot more than that quoted figure thanks to recent developments.

As things stand, it can be said that Asencio is worth at least $52.5 million (€50 million) because that's what his release clause is set at in a contract that expires in mid-2026.

Though the club has reportedly told his entourage that it is delighted with him and will sit down to discuss an improved deal and extension at the end of the season, the defender is in no rush to sign on the dotted line and wants to establish himself as a first-team player before committing his future to a club he's been at since 2017.