Real Madrid is allegedly considering recruiting a new midfielder valued at roughly €30 million by La Liga team Athletic Bilbao.
According to the Spanish publication Defensa Central, he is being scouted by Real Madrid for a possible move in a future transfer window. The Spanish heavyweights are keeping a careful eye on the 21-year-old midfielder, who is valued at €30 million by La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.
He joined Athletic Bilbao’s junior system from Osasuna in 2015, quickly rising through the ranks at the Basque club. The 19-year-old midfielder earned his first-team debut in August 2019. Since then, the player has continued his upward trajectory, becoming a fixture with Los Leones.
To date, the 21-year-old has appeared 61 times for Athletic Bilbao, contributing seven goals and six assists. Sancet made headlines last weekend when he scored a hat-trick against CA Osasuna in La Liga. The youngster’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the teams interested in him.
Real Madrid’s desire makes perfect sense given the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Gareth Bale, Mariano Diaz, Luka Jovic, and Eden Hazard. While Sancet began his career as a midfielder, he has spent the majority of this season as a striker and a second striker.
So, if Real Madrid signs him, the 21-year-old might end up replacing Mariano, who has recently been linked with AS Roma. Sancet, on the other hand, might be an alternative in the succession plan for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos if he returns to his midfield origins.
The two ageing veterans are nearing the end of their illustrious careers and might be phased out by Real Madrid shortly. As a result, the Spanish giants must seek for potential successors, with Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Neuhaus, and Denis Zakaria among the names on their list.
Sancet, a 21-year-old who could play a variety of roles in the squad, could be a viable alternative in that regard. And Real Madrid will not have to spend a lot of money to sign the teenager, as Athletic Bilbao has slapped a €30 million price tag on him.
While obtaining the services of Erling Haaland will take up a large portion of Real Madrid’s summer budget, spending €30 million on Sancet may not be out of the question. For the time being, the Merengues are simply keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, and it will be intriguing to watch whether their interest grows during the summer.