Real Madrid face European competition for Spanish midfield talent: Romano

Real Madrid may have already done quite a lot of summer business, but it looks like they have also set their sights on some developmental bets.

All big clubs focus on bringing in players ahead of the curve, trying to get them in before their potential explodes, and Los Blancos are no different.

One player the club have been heavily linked with in recent days is Racing Santander midfield starlet Sergio Martinez.

Everything suggested that Madrid were close to securing the signing of the Spanish teenager.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Madrid are not the only club currently holding talks with the 19-year-old.

Sergio Martinez is a hot property in the market. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Romano has mentioned that clubs from both the Premier League and Bundesliga are pushing to sign Martinez.

The competition is especially significant because some of the interested clubs can offer Champions League football this season.

While the clubs in England and Germany have not been named, this could potentially complicate Madrid’s plans.

The Spanish giants have been working on a plan that would initially see Martinez join Castilla while remaining close enough to Jose Mourinho’s first team to potentially train with the senior squad.

For a player who has already made his breakthrough in La Liga, other clubs could potentially present a more immediate pathway to senior football.

Despite the additional competition, Real Madrid’s interest remains concrete.

Martinez has been monitored by the club for some time, and his impressive emergence at Racing has only strengthened their belief in his potential.

The midfielder recently announced himself at the highest level with an excellent goal on his La Liga debut for the newly promoted side.

While Madrid had moved into a strong position to secure his signature, they could now be leapfrogged by other clubs.

All eyes on Martinez’s future. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Martinez now appears to have several attractive pathways in front of him.

Madrid can offer the prestige of joining one of Europe’s biggest clubs and a potential route towards Mourinho’s squad.

However, Champions League suitors from England and Germany could make compelling sporting proposals of their own.

There is also the option of staying at Racing Santander and continuing to grow and improve in the first division in an exciting team.

It remains to be seen whether Madrid can convince the teenager that dropping down to Castilla is worth the short-term sacrifice.

The next few weeks could be pivotal in deciding Sergio Martinez’s future, and it remains to be seen whether he chooses a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.