Igor Gomes of Sao Paulo celebrates after scoring a goal (Getty Images)
According to FOX Sports via Diario AS (h/t Daily Mail), Real Madrid are plotting a bid for Sao Paolo midfielder Igor Gomes.
Gomes’ standout displays in the Brazilian top-flight league has attracted the likes of La Liga sides such as Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla, who all have been scouting him for the past 12 months.
However, the Sao Paolo youngster is currently tied to his club until 2023. The 21-year-old is still learning his craft, having made his debut for the senior side back in November 2018.
He has made a total of 31 appearances and has two goals and as many assists for Sao Paolo this season. He also played a crucial role in their 2020 Copa Libertadores group stage win over LDU Quito.
His numbers do not tell the entire story, but the highly-rated attacking midfielder’s quick rise into one of the key players in the senior squad gives a glimpse of the talent that he is. The Sao Paulo academy graduate has also featured for the Brazil under-23 squad and has four appearances to his name.
Madrid have as many as four attacking midfielders in their squad. Among the four, only Isco is a regular but even the Spaniard has not played as many games as he used to due to the rise of young midfielder Federico Valverde.
Isco has made just 16 league appearances this season despite being one of the most experienced members in Zinedine Zidane’s squad. Zidane also has Colombian James Rodriguez at his disposal.
However, he has regularly been snubbed by the Frenchman since his arrival in 2014. Not much has changed, with the midfielder making just 7 league appearances this term.
The remaining two attacking midfielders are youngsters Brahim Diaz and winter signing Reinier Jesus. With the likes of star midfielders such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric already in the side, 20-year-old Diaz is way down the pecking order.
However, he has still managed three La Liga appearances and is a player for the future. Reinier, meanwhile, is just 18 and like Gomes, is a Brazilian talent who is seen as a future star. He is yet to feature for the senior side.
With the team already well-stocked in the department, Real Madrid’s pursuit of Gomes seems rather unnecessary. Hence, it would be better if the Spanish giants ward off their interests in the young Brazilian, who has a release clause of around £44million on his head.
Real Madrid, being a top club in Europe, have some of the world’s best midfielders in their squad. Hence, roping in the young Gomes seems surplus to their requirements at the moment. Moreover, with the likes of youngsters Diaz and Reinier waiting in line to prove their worth, chances will be increasingly limited for Gomes if a move happens.
