Real Madrid Transfer News: 'New Lionel Messi,' Lucas Patanelli, Reportedly Signs

Real Madrid have signed Argentina teenager Lucas Patanelli—dubbed the "new Lionel Messi"—to a pre-contract agreement.

Marca reported the Galacticos have swooped to capture the 15-year-old talent from Independiente after he was heavily scouted by the team. Patanelli was invited to link up with Los Blancos at their training facilities, and was "sold" on the move after his visit to the Spanish capital city. 

However, Patanelli's age prevents Madrid president Florentino Perez signing the player to a permanent deal, as he doesn't turn 16 until February, per Marca.

The youngster's skills were previously captured on video, and shared by FOOTBOYSTV:

Madrid have been forced to buy big in their attempt to keep up with Messi and Barcelona, but it appears they are taking a page from their great rivals' book in tempting Patanelli to join. 

While Barca developed Messi in their famed La Masia youth academy, Perez was forced to break world records to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, playing catch up on the Camp Nou club. 

The hub of Barca's talent came from their academy—including the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta—with Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique being discovered by the Blaugrana's youth scouting. 

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

However, Madrid could be about to leapfrog the Catalans' success with young players. Goal.com's Ignasi Oliva recently commented Barca are not producing the talent of the past generation: "Nobody expected another Messi to emerge, of course, because that is impossible. And the same could be said for [Carles] Puyol and Xavi. The virtue, it seems, was not in the methods, but in the players, as [Pep] Guardiola always said."

Madrid captured Europe's hottest talent Martin Odegaard last January, but he has struggled to develop under the bright lights of the Bernabeu, as reported by Pete Jenson of the Mail Online.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

The Norwegian's form has fluctuated during his first year in the Spanish capital, but the 16-year-old has years to develop as Madrid earmark him for the future. 

The likes of Patanelli and Odegaard could give Madrid the balance they need in future incarnations, but the long-term outlook is not what Perez is known for.

A succession of sacked managers means Real are constantly in a state of flux, as they move in and out of transition, and it is this lack of stability that makes it difficult for young players to show their best attributes.