Real Madrid are stepping up their efforts to land Zaragoza attacking midfielder Alberto Soro, the latest jewel to emerge from the La Romareda academy, with the idea of loaning him back to the Segunda División side for the 2019-20 season in a deal similar to that which saw Jesús Vallejo make the move to the Bernabéu from Aragón in 2015.

Zaragoza are open to the negotiations and awaiting a concrete bid from Madrid, with Soro’s contract at La Romareda containing a nine-million-euro release clause. In order to stave off competition from Espanyol among others, Real are willing to offer a one-year loan deal for the highly rated Spain under-18 international as Zaragoza seek promotion back to the top flight at the third time of asking.

Madrid in pole position for Soro

Espanyol have also made inquiries but are unwilling to meet Soro’s clause and would not consider a year-long loan as part of the deal. Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt are alsp reportedly interested, byt Zaragoza would prefer to do business with the Bernabéu.

Madrid signed central defender Vallejo from Zaragoza in 2015 for a fee of six million euros and loaned him back to the selling club for the next campaign. Vallejo subsequently went to Frankfurt on loan before arriving back at the Bernabéu in 2017.

Soro started his career at Ejea before moving to Zaragoza’s academy in 2009 and came through the ranks of the B team before making his professional debut in August 2018. He went on to make 29 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring twice and providing two assists as he established himself in the senior side. Able to play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder in the number 10 role, Soro is under contract at Zaragoza until 2022.