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Real Madrid are allegedly close to completing a deal to bring left full back Fran Garcia back to the Bernabeu from Rayo Vallecano.
The 23-year-old came through Real Madrid’s junior system but mostly played for their B team between 2018 and 2020, just earning one first-team appearance for the capital giants.
Garcia joined Rayo on a permanent basis in the summer of 2021 after a successful loan spell with the club during the 2020-21 season.
Garcia has been a major player for Los Franjirrojos over the last three seasons, including this season, appearing on 23 times and contributing two assists.
The former Spanish Under-21 international has a contract with Rayo until June 2025, but he will return to the Bernabeu this summer, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Real Set to Approve a Cut-Price Deal
Romano believes that the ‘papers are ready,’ with Real Madrid prepared to exercise a €10 million (£8.9 million) buy-back clause included in the initial deal.
According to a 50% sell-on clause, the Spanish and European champions will only have to pay €5 million (£4.5 million).
Garcia will sign a five-year contract with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are in need of reinforcements at left-back, according to the Italian journalist.
Both Ferland Mendy and David Alaba have been on the sidelines this season, with the former still recovering from an injury. This has seen Ancelotti forced to play Eduardo Camavinga to play as a left-back.
Camavinga usually plays as a central midfielder and despite his best efforts, both he and Ancelotti likely feel that he would rather return to his stronger position.
Garcia Instrumental to Vallecano Success
The incoming Garcia has played as a left back for Rayo all this season, but he can also play as a left midfielder or a left-sided wing-back.
In total, the defender has made 105 appearances for his current club, scoring three goals and assisting eight times, with 55 of those games coming in La Liga.
Garcia has been instrumental in Rayo’s successful season thus far, with Iraola’s squad presently lying sixth in La Liga, five points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
The news comes just a week after Iraola was strongly linked to a move to the English Premier League where he was rumored to be in line for the vacant Leeds United managerial role. The Spaniard was reported to be interested but was blocked from speaking to the side by Vallecano.
Iraola did not want to force his way out of the club and now remains in Spain until the end of the season at the very least. With his side on the verge of the Champions League places, it may prove a good decision to stay at the Madrid club despite the temptations of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid defeated Elche 4-0 on Wednesday evening to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to eight points.
With a win over Osasuna on Saturday, Ancelotti’s team would close the gap on their arch rivals to five points, given Barcelona are not in play until Sunday due to their involvement in the Europa League.
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