Real Madrid have been quiet in recent transfer windows, but reports suggest they will splash the cash after the current season, and it looks like their first signing could be this player.
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Los Blancos have had a below-par campaign so far, and find themselves 14 points behind bitter rivals FC Barcelona in LaLiga, who also have a game in hand.
Real were also knocked out of the Copa del Rey earlier in the campaign, and the UEFA Champions League is now their only realistic chance to win a major trophy.
Reports suggest that Zinedine Zidane and Florentino Perez will target a few high-profile names in the next window, but AS have now reported that former youth product Omar Mascarell could be the first arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
The 25-year-old central midfielder left the club to join Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2016, and has impressed in Germany since.
Real reportedly included a buyback clause in the midfielder's contract, and are understood to be keen to take him back after the current campaign.
With midfielders such Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Isco and Mateo Kovacic likely to be involved at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and, as a consequence, returning for pre-season later from an extended holiday, Zidane is apparently willing to give Mascarell a chance to prove himself in pre-season.
However, if he fails to impress in Real's first team, the club would be confident of selling him for a bigger transfer fee than they would have to pay Frankfurt to re-sign him.
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Mascarell, who recently returned to action from a serious injury, has made 39 appearances for Frankfurt since joining them in 2016.
Do you think Real should focus on buying players to improve their first team rather than squad players? Have your say in the comments section below.
