Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio has been the subject of a €40m (£33.3m) offer from Premier League upstarts Nottingham Forest, according to a report.
The 21-year-old has benefitted from Real's defensive injury crisis to enjoy a breakthrough campaign in Carlo Ancelotti's defence, making 20 appearances in all competitions for the first team this season.
Asencio made his sixth La Liga start of the campaign in Saturday's 1-1 derby draw with Atletico Madrid, partnering Aurelien Tchouameni in a makeshift defence missing David Alaba, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger through injury.
The Spaniard's performance was the topic of high praise from Ancelotti in his post-match press conference, as the Italian told reporters: "We have handled all this well, we have been very good at the back.
"The two centre-backs fantastic. Tchouameni and Raul have had a great match, and we have been able to recover and very close to winning."
Real Madrid 'yet to make decision' on Asencio future
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Asencio is expected to keep his place in the heart of the Blancos backline when they face Manchester City in Tuesday's Champions League playoff first leg, but he is only under contract for another 18 months.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the 15-time European champions have now received a £33.3m bid for the centre-back from Forest, who are seeking to capitalise on his uncertain contract situation.
However, the report adds that no final decision has been made on Asencio's future just yet, and Forest's bid could spark contract negotiations between the 21-year-old and Real Madrid into life.
While Los Blancos apparently believe that Asencio could be a 'valuable asset' for years to come, Forest's offer may prove too good to turn down if the centre-back elects not to sign a new deal.
Asencio joined the Real Madrid Castilla ranks from Las Palmas in 2017, and Forest are said to be just one of several European clubs hoping to prise him away from the Bernabeu this summer.
Could Asencio replace Murillo at Nottingham Forest?
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While Asencio would likely be guaranteed yearly Champions League football should he stay at Real Madrid, Europe's elite competition could very well be coming to the City Ground for 2025-26 too.
Forest have been this season's Premier League surprise package under Nuno Espirito Santo, occupying third place in the table behind Arsenal and Liverpool, and key to their astounding success has been a mean centre-back pairing.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have been nothing short of exemplary in the heart of the Forest rearguard, helping the Tricky Trees concede just 27 top-flight goals, and the former in particular is generating serious interest.
Barcelona, Chelsea and Juventus are all believed to be preparing to fight for his services this summer, although Forest can play hardball in negotiations given that he recently extended his contract until 2029.
However, the Tricky Trees' apparent bid for Asencio may indicate that they are fearful of losing Murillo this summer, meaning that Real Madrid could aid Barca's mission to sign the Brazilian by letting the 21-year-old make the move to England.
Ben Knapton
