Real Madrid reportedly ready to pay £45m for Newcastle United and Crystal Palace linked Junior Firpo

The left-back was a reported January target for Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

Real Betis Balompie defender Junior Firpo (20) celebrates scoring the goal during the match FC Barcelona against Real Betis Balompie, for the round 12 of the Liga Santander, played at Camp...

Any hope Newcastle United and Crystal Palace had of signing Junior Firpo could be dashed by Real Madrid.

According to AS, Madrid are ready to pay the €50 million (around £45 million) required to trigger Junior’s release clause, less than a month after he was named by ABC Sevilla as a January target for Newcastle and Palace.

The Champions League holders are said to see the Real Betis left-back as the ideal Marcelo replacement.

And it is claimed they want him so badly they won’t even bother to negotiate a lower fee with the Andalusians.

But according to AS, Madrid face competition from Arsenal and Manchester City to sign the 22-year-old – another potential blow to Newcastle and Crystal Palace chances.

Hector Junior Firpo Adames (R) of Real Betis competes for the ball with Andrew Hjulsager of RC Celta de Vigo during the La Liga match between Real Betis Balompie and RC Celta de Vigo at...