In a move that has stunned both supporters and pundits, the club’s board is reportedly preparing to hand Spanish defender Raúl Asencio a long-term contract extension — despite his widely criticized showing at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. The deal is said to include a salary described internally as “unimaginable,” and would keep the 23-year-old at the club until the summer of 2031.

Reactions have been swift and heated.

Asencio, once considered a promising defensive talent, has seen his stock plummet in recent months following a string of error-prone performances. But it was his performance at the Club World Cup — marked by two crucial mistakes and a red card in the semifinal — that seemed to break the patience of the fanbase. And now, news of a contract extension is only adding fuel to a rapidly spreading fire.

Social media has exploded with criticism. Hashtags like #SellAsencioNow and #BoardOut have begun trending among frustrated fans who view the club’s decision as baffling and even insulting. “This isn’t just about one bad game,” one supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s about rewarding mediocrity and ignoring the warning signs. We’re not blind.”

Even some former players and pundits have weighed in, questioning the timing and logic of the move. “It’s one thing to back a player after a rough patch,” said a retired club legend during a radio interview. “But to hand out a massive extension now, after a performance like that? It sends the wrong message to the locker room — and to the fans.”

Inside sources claim that the board’s decision stems from a belief that Asencio still possesses elite-level potential and that the public backlash is short-sighted. The club reportedly fears losing him to rival teams in Spain or Italy, where several scouts have quietly continued tracking him, believing his raw qualities could be developed elsewhere.

Yet, others inside the club remain unconvinced.

“There are whispers of tension within the dressing room,” a staff member revealed. “Some of the veterans don’t understand it either. The timing is… strange.”

The new deal, which could be announced officially in the coming days, is expected to make Asencio one of the highest-paid young defenders in Europe — a figure many believe he has yet to earn.

While the club hopes the backlash will fade and that the young Spaniard will use this as motivation to turn his form around, many fans are not willing to gamble their trust again. For them, this isn’t just a contract — it’s a warning sign of a club out of sync with its supporters.

Whether Asencio rises to silence the criticism or the pressure crushes what’s left of his promise remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: this extension is not being celebrated. It’s being questioned — loudly.