Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring 19-year-old Spanish prodigy Hugo Sotelo, who has a release clause worth €20 million in his Celta Vigo deal.
According to Spanish journalist Oscar Mendez, Gabri Veiga is the only Celta Vigo sensation to alert high-profile clubs. Fellow Spanish prodigy Hugo Sotelo has captured the attention of Barcelona and Real Madrid. And Celta Vigo will ask suitors to trigger his release clause, worth €20 million, to secure his services.
Hugo Sotelo has been with Celta Vigo since joining the Galician club’s academy as an eight-year-old over a decade ago. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds and currently plies his trade for Celta Vigo B. And the 19-year-old has also made his first-team debut, benefitting from an injury crisis in May 2021.
But since making his first-team debut as a 17-year-old, Sotelo has managed just two more outings for the senior side. But the Spanish prodigy has been an impressive performer for the reserve side. And the youngster’s progress has captured the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are constantly in the market for promising prospects. And they have recently poached a wonderkid or two, with Barcelona landing Pablo Torre last year, while Real Madrid signed Endrick. In the latter’s case, the Brazilian will arrive in Spain later this year after turning 18. Meanwhile, the two heavyweights have set their sights on Hugo Sotelo.
Barcelona’s financial troubles have forced them to adopt a youth-centric and economically-driven approach in the market. And several players, including Pedri, Gavi and Alejandro Balde, have benefitted from such an outlook. A few other youngsters have recently emerged on Barcelona’s radar, with Fabricio Diaz likely to arrive at Camp Nou.
As for Real Madrid, the Merengues have also been pro-youth in the last half a dozen years, with Florentino Perez driving this outlook. That has enabled Real Madrid to plan for smooth transitions from one generation to the next. Interestingly, the reigning La Liga champions are also interested in another Celta Vigo sensation, Gabri Veiga. And Sotelo is also a viable target for Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old Spanish prodigy will not be an expensive acquisition either. And Celta Vigo will ask suitors to trigger his release clause worth €20 million to secure his services. But while Real Madrid might not have any qualms about shelling out such a sum, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can afford to pay €20 million to sign him.
