Borja Mayoral will reportedly be promoted to the Real Madrid first team next season and deputise Karim Benzema as the side’s No 9.
According to Marca, Los Blancos believe competition hinders the Frenchman’s game, rather than improve it, leaving the club to look to their cantera for a solution to their attacking troubles.
Consequently, the 18-year-old, who recently starred for Spain Under-19s in their European U19 Championship triumph, may effectively skip the Castilla and be plunged straight into the seniors.
Mayoral was given a run in Zinedine Zidane’s side for the final stretch of last season, scoring two goals in five appearances, having netted 35 in 28 for Juvenil A beforehand.
Javier Hernandez had been Benzema’s deputy in 2014-15, but Madrid ultimately passed up the opportunity to sign him on a permanent deal from Manchester United.
Sources who have followed Mayoral’s rise to prominence at the Santiago Bernabeu are understood to have told Marca: “Mayoral is better than Chicharito”, while those close to Madrid have reportedly stated: “We won’t sign another No 9.”
Benzema had been linked with a move to either Manchester United or Arsenal earlier in the summer, but he now appears to have cemented his role in the plans of new Coach Rafa Benitez.
The reshuffle should also see Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale restricted to positions on the wing or in behind.
