Real Madrid are on the verge of completing their first summer signing, with midfielder Omar Mascarell reportedly set to make the move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are set to complete their first signing of the summer in the form of midfielder Omar Mascarell from Eintracht Frankfurt, as per a report from Spanish outlet Don Balon.
The 25-year old defensive midfielder was on the books at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2015, having joined from CD Laguna and mainly turned out for the club’s B and C teams, while also enjoying loan spells away at Derby County and Sporting Gijon. He did make one La Liga appearance for Los Blancos in 2013.
Having joined Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2016 on a permanent deal from Real Madrid, Mascarell established himself as a key player in the German side in his debut campaign, going on to make 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring a solitary goal.
The 2017-18 campaign, however, has been a difficult one for Mascarell as he missed the first half of the season due to an Achilles tendon problem. Having made his comeback in January this year, the 25-year old had to spend more time out on the sidelines, owing to a foot injury, before returning to action in April.
As a result, he ventured out on the pitch on just 12 occasions in all competitions for the club, who finished eighth in the Bundesliga. But, Mascarell featured for the entire ninety minutes as Eintracht went on to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the DFB Pokal final this past weekend. The midfielder finished the campaign with returns of a goal and an assist apiece.
Real Madrid have been linked with a host of big names of late, with the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe being touted as potential transfer targets. So, it comes as a major surprise that the club are set to bring back a player who was deemed not good enough for the first team last time around.
It is understood that the Merengues have a buyback clause for Mascarell which they were reportedly keen on activating. And now, the player himself has confirmed that it will indeed happen in the summer, but remains uncertain over his future at the club.
As per Don Balon, he said, “The buy-back option is going to be exercised, but I do not know what will happen to my future. I think Real Madrid want me to complete pre-season with them. I think they are interested in keeping me, but I would like to continue growing and gaining experience, so my thinking is to stay in Germany if I have to leave Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid have a host of options in the middle of the park, with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic and last summer’s signing Dani Ceballos. Throw in academy graduate Marcos Llorente, and they seem well stocked in the department.
However, with everyone apart from Llorente and Ceballos set to be involved in this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, it makes sense that Real Madrid will want to beef up their options, with a player who can be used to rotate the squad.
