Real Madrid are prepared to send Raúl Asencio out on loan this summer, with Marseille pushing hardest for the young centre-back after the Spanish champions made clear he no longer figures in José Mourinho's plans.
The proposed structure, first reported by ONE and corroborated by Spanish and English outlets, has Marseille taking the 23-year-old on loan with a mandatory obligation to buy — reported at around €15 million — that would be triggered if certain appearance conditions are met over the season.
Real Madrid are also said to have insisted on keeping a 25 percent sell-on clause, meaning the club would benefit further if Marseille later sold Asencio on for a profit.
Asencio was one of the breakout stories of Real Madrid's 2024-25 campaign, forcing his way into the first team amid a defensive injury crisis, but his path back into the side has narrowed considerably since Ibrahima Konaté's arrival strengthened the centre-back options at Mourinho's disposal.
Benfica had also explored signing Asencio earlier in the window, but those talks stalled after the Portuguese club balked at Real Madrid's demand for a buyback option, clearing the way for Marseille to advance their interest.
Separately, Chelsea have opened talks over a possible return for Danny Welbeck, with David Ornstein of The Athletic reporting that the west London club are exploring a deal to bring the 35-year-old forward back from Brighton & Hove Albion.
According to Ornstein's report, discussions are at an early stage, but there is said to be optimism on all sides that an agreement could be reached, with Welbeck's experience and leadership in the dressing room appealing to Chelsea.
Welbeck, who began his career at Manchester United before spells at Sunderland, Arsenal and Brighton, enjoyed one of the most productive Premier League seasons of his career in 2025-26, scoring 13 league goals under Fabian Hürzeler. His contract on the south coast runs until 2027, and Brighton are not expected to let him go easily.
Neither move has been finalised, and both remain reports rather than confirmed transfers at this stage, but the two threads point to a busy end to the window for Real Madrid's fringe squad players and for Chelsea's search for attacking depth and experience.
