Real Madrid scout Luka Jovic and João Félix at Benfica-Frankfurt
Los Blancos sent talent-spotters to the Europa League match in midweek to run the rule over two potential summer targets for Zinedine Zidane's overhaul.
Real Madrid sent scouts to get a first-hand look at rising stars João Félix and Luka Jovic during the Europa League game between Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday, which the home side won 4-2.
The silent audition from the Frankfurt striker could be considered a success with Jovic getting on the score-sheet in the 40th minute and leading from the front after Evan N’Dicka 20 minutes earlier. The Serbia international has plundered 25 goals in all competitions this season and is attracting interest from Barcelona as well as Madrid, but his father recently hinted he may elect to spend another season at Frankfurt.
Jovic in demand with Real, Barça and Juventus in the queue
Jovic, 21, is on loan at the Bundesliga side from Benfica and Frankfurt have the option to make his loan deal permanent at the end of the season for just 12 million euros. With Éder Militão already in the bag to shore up the back line, Zinedine Zidane has turned his attention towards a number nine to act as understudy to Karim Benzema but Real’s priority target this summer remains Eden Hazard. Nonetheless, give the level of interest in Jovic is likely to rise as summer approaches, Real are keen to nip in ahead of the competition for one of the most promising strikers in Europe: as well as Madrid’s scouts, there were representatives from Valladolid, Deportivo, Manchester United, Juventus, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Bayern.
Many of those will have been in the Estádio da Luz to cast an eye over Benfica’s Félix, who is rapidly becoming the hottest property in European football. The 19-year-old bagged a hat-trick against Frankfurt and will be at the top of many a shortlist this summer. However, Benfica are understandably reluctant to sell and handed the 19-year-old a new contract last November with a release clause of 120 million euros the starting point for any suitors.