Real Madrid Will get a crack at first-team next year

Vallejo: I know that Real Madrid are following me closely

Opinion: Zidane's transfer policy is his biggest risk

Real Madrid have confirmed to Jesus Vallejo that he will be among the senior squad's centre-back options for the 2017/18 season.

During the first half of a loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Spaniard was a revelation in Bundesliga and was only slowed by injury problems that began in February.

As Pepe leaves the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, there will be no need to splash the cash on a replacement as homegrown option Vallejo has Zinedine Zidane's blessing to make the step up and challenge Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez for a place in defence.

Contact between Madrid and the 20-year-old has been constant throughout the season to ensure that the player was doing his homework and developing in the right way.

That attention to detail has been reciprocated by Vallejo, who is eager to get started at Real and can look forward to pre-season once the European Under-21 Championship is completed, which he hopes to do so as a first-choice centre-back for Spain.