Real Madrid are planning to trigger the release clause in the contract of Real Betis left-back Junior Firpo, who has been linked with a clutch of clubs, including Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
A product of the Betis academy, the 24-year-old left-back has caught the eye of many with his enterprising performances for the Spanish outfit.
His defensive and attacking abilities have attracted the attention of several sides ahead of the opening of the winter transfer window and there are suggestions Betis could struggle to hold on to him in the future.
Crystal Palace and Newcastle have been scouting Firpo, but it seems Real Madrid are prepared to make an aggressive move to snare him away from Betis.
According to Spanish sports daily AS, the European champions are considering paying the release clause in Firpo’s contract to take him to the Bernabeu in the summer.
The former Spain international signed a new five-year deal with Betis in August, but it contains a buyout clause of €50m, which Real Madrid are prepared to pay.
The European champions want to bring in a long-term replacement for Marcelo, who turns 31 next summer, and have identified Firpo as a solution.
Real Madrid are keen to avoid negotiations and can do so by paying the buy-out clause.
