Real Madrid are faced with the prospect of losing Lucas Vazquez this summer. The right-sided winger – and now defender – is on an expiring contract. He seems to want more money than what Real can afford to give, so there’s an expectation that the Galician winger will join a new club this summer.
Nothing is set in stone, but Los Blancos must contemplate low-cost solutions to replace Vazquez. And one of them is a player they technically already own – at least, partially.
Los Blancos sold Jorge de Frutos to Levante this past summer for two million euros, but they still owned 50 percent of his rights, as well as the right of first refusal over a future transfer, per a report from MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz.
That same report from MARCA states that Real Madrid are keeping an eye on de Frutos as Vazquez’s replacement, should the 29-year-old leave in free agency this summer. Real reportedly view de Frutos as an “ideal” option.
Real Madrid could replace Lucas Vazquez with Jorge de Frutos
And it’s not hard to see why. De Frutos is just 24 years old and has plenty of upside, as he’s having a career-best season for Levante in 2020-2021. Financially, he is a great option during the pandemic, since Real already partially own him and would only have to part ways with a few million euros to sign a player capable of being a quality squad option.
De Frutos would not have to be an every-game starter for Real Madrid. And since we have seen Los Blancos make use of a three-man defense lately to great effect with wins over Getafe, Elche, and, most impressively, Atalanta, De Frutos could be an option as a right wing back or right-sided midfielder for Los Blancos.
A two-sided player, de Frutos has scored three goals with seven assists for Levante this season and has been one of the league’s most impressive young players. If we count him as a loanee, he is right there with Borja Mayoral as Real’s best loanees of the 2020-2021 campaign in terms of overall performance.
With each passing week, it seems more like Vazquez and Real will have to end their wonderful chapter together. Madridistas are appreciative of what Vazquez has done, but they also understand that the club cannot overpay for a player nearing the age of 30 who is not a regular starter. De Frutos would be a younger, cheaper option, and he has more upside, especially when it comes to contributing to the attack. He has more goal contributions this season than Vazquez.
So keep an eye on de Frutos’ name as we get closer to the summer transfer window. Be mindful of his performances at Levante and check the rumor mill occasionally to see if anything has changed in terms of Real’s interest in buying back the young wide man.