Real Madrid Transfer News: Rodrigo Bentancur Deal Imminent, Latest Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly close to signing Boca Juniors midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, according to the latest transfer rumours coming from Spain.  

Jose Felix Diaz and Hugo Cerezo of Marca reported Los Blancos are involved in productive negotiations with the Argentinian club, and a deal worth around €10 million should be reached soon. If all goes according to plan, the longtime target will join the club during the January transfer window.

Boca Juniors President Daniel Angelici said Real have yet to make an offer for the 18-year-old, but it would be “very convenient” when they do. Speaking to TyC Sports (h/t AS, via Football Espana), he said:

"

We haven’t received any formal proposal from Madrid for Bentancur.

The [€10m] figure being used isn’t correct. The clause is lower than what is being discussed. There’s a lot of talk but I want to see a written proposal.

If it comes I’ll analyse it because it would be very convenient for the club and the player.

"

AS believes Real are making their move now ahead of the possible transfer embargo the club faces, with Bentancur expected to return to Argentina on loan until the summer of 2017. The Madrid-based daily also noted the midfielder was one of the players Juventus had their eye on when they sold Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors.

The Bianconeri have an option to sign the player for €9.4 million, but the option doesn't kick in until the start of the 2017-18 campaign, per Juventus.com.

Real have signed a number of talented youngsters in the past few years with an eye on the long-term future―Martin Odegaard, Lucas Silva and Marcos Asensio come to mind―and Bentancur would be just the latest in a long line of talented prospects with tantalising potential.

A product of Boca's youth academy, the teenager already displays incredible passing range, technical ability and vision. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Bentancur's ability to shoot from distance and dominate in midfield with his strength and technique will remind some of Juventus starlet Paul Pogba, and the comparison is apt. Football Talent Scout made the same comparison, while it also sees a bit of Zenit St. Petersburg's Axel Witsel in him.

He doesn't have the raw power of Witsel or the flair of Pogba, but for an 18-year-old prospect, Bentancur looks incredibly gifted. It's not surprising clubs like Real and Juventus have both made moves to obtain his services in the last year.

The transfer embargo likely forced Los Blancos' hand, as Bentancur was unlikely to still be available once the ban expired. The youngster has been developing at a rapid pace, and if a deal isn't agreed upon soon, other clubs will start to show an interest as well in the near future―or Juventus might trigger their option.

Bentancur will remain in Argentina for the foreseeable future, giving him the opportunity to continue his development with Boca Juniors. Real have struggled developing some of their young South American signings themselves in the last few years, and similar to Casemiro, Bentancur might need some more seasoning away from the club.

The Uruguayan youngster will face a real battle breaking into Real's senior squad with so much talent available in the central areas, but for a reported fee of just €10 million, it's a deal Los Blancos won't worry about too much.

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