Real Madrid eyeing De Frutos to replace Lucas Vázquez
With Lucas Vázquez's future in the air, Zinedine Zidane is looking at bringing €30m-rated former Castilla winger Jorge de Frutos back from Levante.
Real Madrid have set their sights on Levante winger Jorge de Frutos as a possible replacement for Lucas Vázquez. The 24-year-old De Frutos is a former Real Madrid Castilla player who spent time on loan at Valladolid and Rayo before moving to the Ciutat de València on a five-year deal in 2020 for which Levante paid €2 million for half of the player’s rights with Madrid retaining the other 50 percent and the right of first refusal on any future sale. Now, his former club are considering bringing him back to the Bernabéu after a spectacular season in which De Frutos has provided eight Liga assists, one of the highest returns in the division, and scored three.
Vázquez is out of contract in the summer and no movement has yet been made on a new deal for a player who has constantly been a golden resource for Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane due to his versatility and injury record.
De Frutos release clause set at €30m but Madrid have purchase option
Levante need to raise €16m before 30 June to balance the books and De Frutos is one of the club’s most valuable assets with a clause of €30m written into his deal, which runs until 2025.
De Frutos, who spent only a single season at Real Madrid Castilla, could follow in the footsteps of Vázquez who was sent out on loan to Espanyol for a campaign and was then brought back to the Bernabéu after a stand-out season. With the Spain international’s contract situation in the air, Zidane is seeking some assurances on the right flank where Vázquez has operated on the wing and as a full back this season.