Who is Lamini Fati, the teenaged Leganés defender set to sign for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid are poised to sign Leganés starlet Lamini Fati, an 18-year-old center-back who has shone for Los Pepineros’ ‘B’ team.

How much will Real Madrid pay for Lamini Fati?

With a verbal agreement in place between Leganés and Madrid, the transfer will be announced imminently, barring any 11th-hour setbacks. In a deal that was first reported by the Spanish media outlet Relevo, Los Blancos are preparing to pay a fee in excess of €100,000 ($105,000) for Fati, Leganés sources have told AS. The amount is understood to be close to his buy-out figure.

Born in Spain to an Angolan mother and a father from Guinea-Bissau, Fati is to begin his Madrid career in the 15-time European champions’ youth set-up. This newspaper understands that the youngster will initially join Madrid’s third team (Real Madrid C) or the club’s under-19s.

In the near future, however, Fati is also likely to get opportunities to show what he can do for Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s ‘B’ team, which is coached by Madrid legend Raúl González Blanco. Castilla, who play in the Primera RFEF, the third division of Spanish league soccer, are in need of reinforcements after suffering a spate of injuries.

What is Fati like as a player?

A player with an imposing physique who is comfortable on the ball, Fati has been a fixture for Leganés B in the Tercera RFEF, Spain’s fifth tier. His performances led to interest from Valencia last summer. Leganés managed to ward off Los Che’s overtures, but have now been unable to keep hold of the player in the face of Madrid’s persistent advances.

Had Leganés refused to sell, indeed, Madrid would have forced Los Pepineros' hand by upping their offer to trigger Fati’s release clause. Butarque bosses were reluctant to enter into a confrontation with Madrid over the transfer; they felt it was in their club’s best interests to maintain good relations with their big-name neighbors in the Spanish capital.

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