REAL MADRID
'New Ramos' Vallejo must wait for Real Madrid decision
Jesus Vallejo will hold talks with Real Madrid after this season, but could be open to staying at Eintracht Frankfurt for another year.
Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo, who has been billed as the new Sergio Ramos, must wait until the end of the season to discover the club's plans for him despite a recent report suggesting Real Madrid had started planning for next season with both him an Marcos Llorente - on loan at Alaves - in their plans.
Vallejo, who joined Madrid from Real Zaragoza in 2015, is on loan with high-flying Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
The 20-year-old has been tipped to replace Pepe, who Real Madrid are poised to lose at the end of the season with clubs in China lurking.
"Nobody has informed me so far, they are just rumours," Vallejo told Sport1 when asked about replacing Pepe.
"When I went to Frankfurt, I was told that I should play the season calmly and make the most of it, then we sit down. We will not talk about it before May or June.
"Of course, we are in touch a bit. The club is following my development, which is quite normal, but I have not [spoken to Zidane] and I do not know him personally yet.
Real Madrid keeping an eye
"I have more contact with the medical team and the scouting department. From time to time, some of them come to Germany to watch my games."
Vallejo, a Spain Under-21 international, acknowledges Ramos is a role model, but feels such comparisons between him and the Madrid captain are premature.
"Oh, I still lack a lot," he said of how he compared to Ramos.
"When I was a little boy and went to La Romareda I always looked up to Gabriel Milito and also Alberto Zapater because I played in my first youth years in midfield like he did.
"Today, of course, I am focusing on Sergio Ramos, but not just on him, on all the good central defenders – especially those of Real Madrid who are the best in the world."
Vallejo has played in every match as Frankfurt have risen from a 16th-place finish last season to sit third and in contention for Champions league qualification.
Not ruling out Frankfurt stay
And the centre-back would not rule out staying for another season at Frankfurt if they make it to Europe.
"That should be discussed in summer," he said. "I can only say that here I am having one of the best experiences of my life.
"Therefore, I do not completely exclude the option of remaining a year longer because the team is playing well and I am developing well.
Niko Kovac says Vallejo is one of the best talents in the world at his age, and said, "It's a scandal. I have never seen a player like this at his age."