Jorge Cuenca has rejected a potential move to Rayo Vallecano because he wants to stay and fight for his place in Fulham’s first team, according to reports from Spain.

Cuenca’s representatives have rubbished reports in the Spanish press yesterday that he had asked to leave Craven Cottage because he was disappointed by his lack of playing time in his first season in England. Fulham sources said they were surprised by that reporting as they believed Cuenca has a good relationship with Marco Silva and has overcome initial homesickness to be keen to establish himself in the Premier League.

Fulham had rejected an initial loan bid from Rayo Vallecano because Silva sees the former Barcelona and Villarreal centre back as a key part of his future plans. The 26 year-old made twelve first-team appearances in his first season in SW6, with eight of them coming in the Premier League. Cuenca, who has largely deputised for left-sided centre back Calvin Basey so far in his Whites’ career, is likely to have more first-team opportunities as the Nigerian is expected to be part of his country’s squad for the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, which will run from 21 December to the 18 January 2026.