Espanyol centre-forward Raul de Tomas is reportedly keen to return to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
According to Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid are on the hunt for a centre-forward who can play second fiddle to Karim Benzema in the upcoming season. Espanyol centre-forward Raul de Tomas is one of the names on their wishlist and the player is said to be keen on returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Raul de Tomas started his career at Real Madrid but could never break into the first team, spending multiple loan spells in La Liga before being sold to Benfica in 2019. But the Spanish striker’s time in Portugal was short-lived as he returned to Spain within six months, joining Espanyol permanently.
With the Catalan club, the 27-year-old’s spell has been quite fruitful. In two and a half seasons, de Tomas has scored 45 goals in 89 matches across all competitions. His brilliant form in La Liga has seen potential suitors line up, with former club Real Madrid being one of them.
Even with four years left on his contract with Espanyol, the Spanish centre-forward is inclined towards leaving the club this summer, and his heart is set on a return to Real Madrid. But to facilitate a move for de Tomas, valued between €25 million and €30 million, Los Blancos will need to sell one of their forwards.
The player most likely to be sold is Borja Mayoral, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Getafe. Real Madrid have already agreed on terms with their fellow La Liga club, and it is now up to Mayoral to make a decision.
Real Madrid will subsequently move in for the 27-year-old, who has a €70 million release clause on his contract. Espanyol are currently hoping that the player’s release clause is activated. However, AS claim that a fee of around €25-30 million would be enough to get the move through for de Tomas, who awaits an approach from the Merengues.
De Tomas was attracting interest from Arsenal earlier this summer as well. The Gunners needed a number nine following departures of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, although they have signed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
