Levante are preparing to sell La Liga sensation Jorge de Frutos for £13 million after Southampton opened talks, although Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side face a battle with Real Madrid, according to SuperDeporte.
The Castellon club certainly took a plunge last summer when they decided to offer a contract to a winger who, at the age of 23, was yet to make an impact in the professional game.
To say their faith has been justified, however, would be an understatement akin to saying: ‘Lionel Messi is rather good at football’.
Only four players in La Liga – Messi himself among them – have produced more assists than De Frutos during his breakthrough season.
Back in February, the former Real Madrid youngster proved that he is capable of finding the net himself during Levante’s shock 2-0 win against Atletico, firing home a Goal of the Season contender from the halfway line after Jan Oblak had come up for a late corner.
Unfortunately for Levante, De Frutos’s time at the Ciutat de Valencia looks set to be short and sweet.
Cash-strapped Levante are under pressure to raise funds via player sales. And, according to the Castellon-based SuperDeporte, their jet-heeled winger is available for a bargain fee of £13 million; far less than his £26 million release clause.
The Mirror (28 February, page 67) reports that Southampton have held talks with the Spaniard’s agent. The Saints, however, are set for a transfer battle with one of the biggest clubs in world football.
Real Madrid have a history when it comes to bringing talented youngsters back to the Bernabeu and, according to SuperDeporte, De Frutos could be about to follow in the footsteps of Lucas Vazquez and Casemiro.
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