Real Madrid are reportedly considering cutting short Borja Mayoral’s loan spell at AS Roma due to concerns over game-time amid interest from Crystal Palace.
According to a report from Spanish publication AS, Crystal Palace are among the clubs interested in signing Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral, who is currently out on loan at Serie A giants AS Roma.
Mayoral came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid but has never been able to establish himself as a regular with the first-team. The 24-year-old, making just 33 appearances in which he has seven goals and four assists. Instead, he has been largely farmed out on loan, with stints at Wolfsburg, Levante (twice) before he joined Roma on a two-year temporary spell in the summer last year.
Mayoral enjoyed a brilliant first year in the Italian capital as he plundered 17 goals and set up seven more in 45 matches across all competitions. However, with Roma signing two new strikers this summer, in the form of Tammy Abraham and Eldor Shomurodov, Real Madrid are concerned that Mayoral’s game-time will be affected – he has featured just eight minutes so far in the new season.
As a result, the Spanish giants are considering cutting his spell with the Giallorossi short and loaning him out elsewhere for the rest of the season. His form over the past year has now led to interest from several clubs across Europe, with Crystal Palace among those who are looking to swoop in on the opportunity.
The centre-forward slot has been a problematic one for Palace for a while now, with Christian Benteke going through a never-ending slump while Jordan Ayew can hardly be considered a goalscorer. Jean-Philippe Mateta has also failed to make the desired impact since arriving at the club on loan, leaving new manager Patrick Vieira in search of a new goalscorer.
A move for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard had been mooted, but the Eagles risk missing out on the Frenchman after Everton also entered the fray and have already sounded out the Scottish giants over a move for the striker. Mayoral, to that end, can be a viable alternative for Crystal Palace to consider bolstering their attacking department with.
While the 24-year-old is believed to be happy and settled in Rome, game-time remains a priority. And, with minutes not forthcoming in the opening weeks, he may be open to a switch elsewhere. And Palace have emerged as a strong candidate to be the Real Madrid academy product’s next loan destination.
With only a couple of days left for the transfer window to slam shut, it will be interesting to see if this move sees the light of the day.