Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Lucas Vazquez and Fernando Pacheco Rumours

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez has revealed how he's delighted to have agreed to a new deal with the reigning UEFA Champions League holders.

Vazquez told the media it's been his dream to play for Los Blancos, per Goal's Ben Spratt: "I am very happy. My dream since 2007 has been to wear the shirt of the first team."

Determined to stay humble, the gifted 25-year-old reflected on his career arc since joining Los Merengues: "It wasn't easy, but I'm very pleased to be here. I hope to continue this path and hope to get better day by day to become a better footballer and a better person."

Real recently announced on their official website (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan) how they have extended Vazquez's stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for a further five years.

The prolific wide man represents a rarity for Real in recent seasons—namely a prospect who has made it through the club's youth ranks, albeit with a loan spell at Espanyol. It's not often the 11-time European Cup winners have given chances to players they've developed during the period in which Florentino Perez has been president.

Perez has usually preferred to spend big on ready-made stars, rather than build through youth. Yet Vazquez has bucked the trend thanks largely to a potent combination of determination, technique, pace and a keen eye for goal.

Those skills have helped him score once in the UEFA Champions League as well as provide a pair of assists in Spain's top flight this season, per WhoScored.com.

Vazquez has combined with attacking midfielder Marco Asensio and centre-forward Alvaro Morata to give Real a trio of homegrown talents who are producing for the club, even while some more illustrious players continue to struggle.

Los Blancos' more youthful front three has even been outperforming star names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, according to Martin Domin of the Daily Mirror: "While Bale, Benzema and Cristiano have netted 12 times in 2,395 minutes this season, Vazquez, Asensio and Morata have managed 13 in less time—just 1,839 minutes on the field."

Those performances are rewarding Real's faith in Vazquez and Co. Manager Zinedine Zidane recently expressed that faith by applauding the hard work the 25-year-old used to earn his new contract, per Corrigan:

Securing Vazquez's long-term future is a smart move by Real and proof that the club can underpin its contingent of established stars with young talent steadily developed over time.

Yet things haven't worked out as well for every youth product in Madrid.

Fernando Pacheco Would Welcome Madrid Return

Vazquez and Real will face Alaves in La Liga this weekend, and former Los Blancos goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco will be between the posts. The Spanish stopper has admitted he'd relish the chance to return to the Bernabeu.

Speaking to Goal's Miguel Churruca, 24-year-old 'keeper Pacheco revealed his desire to one day play for Real again: "A return to Real Madrid? My goal is to keep improving to find my top level and I am not closing the door on anything, although [making it there] is very tough."

Pacheco defended his decision to move to Alaves in 2015. He stressed that his ambition to enjoy more playing time was the main motivation behind the move.

Regular first-team action is not something Pacheco would ever have been likely to get with Real, where Keylor Navas has emerged as the No. 1 stopper. The Costa Rica international is also ably backed up by Kiko Casilla.

Pacheco will have the chance to show Los Blancos what they let go, provided he can thwart a deep attacking contingent in Mendizorrotza. Yet it will be a tall order with Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema, Morata, Asensio and a grateful Vazquez at Zidane's disposal.