Real Madrid reach loan deal with Espanyol pearl Javi Puado
The 19-year-old Espanyol B team striker will spend the rest of the season on loan with Santiago Solari's Castilla. Real Madrid will have an option to buy the player.
Espanyol B team coach David Gallego has put the rumours about Javi Puado's future to bed once and for all: “Puado has reached an agreement with Real Madrid”. Both clubs are expected to officially announce that the 19-year-old striker will leave the Pericos' reserves and spend the new season on loan with Real Madrid Castilla. Madrid will reserve an option to but Puado outright when the loan expires next June for four million euros.
Puado, recently renewed terms with Espanyol
Puado, a youth international with Spain at Under-18 level and who recently renewed his contract to 2022, is one of the most promising forwards in Espanyol's youth academy. He completed the pre-season with Quique Sánchez Flores' first team squad even though he was expected to start the new season in the Third Division with Espanyol B. However he was kept on the bench in this afternoon's 3-0 win over FC Ascó.
Sevilla negotiating with Espanyol defender
Puado, whose father was also a professional footballer, can play in any of the attacking positions; he is a prolific scorer, a hard worker and has an intelligent mind, according to reports from Sant Adrià. However last season was one he would rather forget after a cruciate ligament injury kept him sidelined until the final weeks of the competition. Puado isn't the only starlet to have caught the eye in Espanyol's youth academy - Sevilla are in talks with promising centre-back, Lluís López.