Over the past few years, Real Madrid and Como have entered into an informal, involuntary symbiotic relationship. Both clubs benefit from the transfer moves.
With Cesc Fabregas at the helm, the Italian club have shown a deep interest in picking top Real Madrid academy prospects and utilising their undeniable talent to improve their performances.
What the player gets in return is rich first team experience in the top flight. Real Madrid maintain tabs on the player to trigger a return via a buyback clause if need be.
Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon are two notable players who have gone through the arrangement so far. While Paz is set to return this summer, Ramon has developed well and may stay in Italy for another season.
Scouting once again
As reported by Diario AS, Como have informed Real Madrid that they are keeping a close eye on academy talents once more and are interested in making a move for some top players in June.
Of the players on the subsidiary side, Jesus Fortea and Daniel Yanez stand out as players Fabregas likes. They are best placed to make the move in the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid, for their part, highly rate both talents and will hope that their development follows the same arc Nico Paz’s did. There’s no denying that he has become worthy of a starting spot in the first team in just over two years.
Who are Fortea and Yanez?
Fortea is the more widely known of the two. A talented teenage right back whom Real Madrid swooped from Atletico Madrid’s academy.
He has largely been seen as a potential long term right back option. With Dani Carvajal no longer at the club, it will be interesting to see if Real Madrid consider him an option to serve as Trent Alexander Arnold’s backup next season or allow him to join Como.
Yanez, meanwhile, is a classic inverted winger who starts on the right flank but possesses a dangerous ability to cut onto his left foot and drift centrally to create danger. His explosiveness and willingness to take risks make him a special talent.
He too has chances to stake a claim for a first team role, given that Real Madrid have no legitimate right wing option in the squad.
The bottom line
Nico Paz flourished at Como. Jacobo Ramon developed well. Now Fabregas wants two more.
Fortea and Yanez are the next targets. Real Madrid rate them highly. But first team opportunities at the Bernabéu are limited.
Como offer something invaluable: regular minutes in a top flight league. Real Madrid offer buyback clauses and a path home.
It worked for Paz. It could work for them.
The question is whether Real Madrid let them go or keep them as squad options. Either way, Como are watching. And Fabregas is ready to pounce.
