Brahim Diaz, one of the Spain's most promising players, is set to leave Manchester City and join Real Madrid after an agreement has been reached between the two clubs.
The 19-year-old will achieve two of his goals at once with this move: he will be returning to Spain with his family, five years after leaving Malaga, as well as joining Los Blancos.
The fee will be 15 million euros plus add-ons, and Diaz will sign a contract with the European champions for the next six seasons.
It is only the details of the add-ons that is holding up the deal for now, but Diaz will occupy one of Madrid's two slots in the first team and he will earn 3.5 million euros per year gross.
The intention of the club is to announce the signing and present the Malaga-born midfielder to the fans and media next week.
By signing Diaz, Madrid are going against their policy of not bringing in players in January as the last player they did this for was Lucas Silva in 2014/15.
This is not a regular case, however, as Diaz is the type of prospect that is not often available and his desire to return to Spain saw him offered to Los Blancos; this was a deal that the club could not turn down.
Once City became aware that the midfielder had no intention on signing a new deal with the club, Pep Guardiola gave his blessing for Diaz to negotiate a move to Madrid so that they can recoup some money, rather than lose him for free in the summer.
The good relationship between the clubs meant that a deal was done relatively quickly as Madrid had initially offered 10 million euros, while City countered with 20 million; they settled on 15 million, though the add-ons will take it above this figure.
Diaz has played in just four games for City this season, including in the past 10 days when they faced Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, and the strong competition at the club, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling helped make up the Spaniard's mind.
That is not to say that it will be easy at Madrid, but he will be one of the young talents that the club are betting on - a list which includes Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and, when he arrives, Rodrygo - and Diaz is a player that will excite the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ultimately, Diaz is a player with outrageous potential and this was an opportunity that Madrid could not turn down.
Mosanya
102
The 19-year-old will achieve alot in Madrid. Ultimately, Diaz is a player with outrageous potential, he is talented, this is madrid opportunity to bring a good and future player.
RealMd13
93
AF: Brahim Diaz is coming to Real Madrid me: Brahim Diaz Date of Birth (Age 19): Aug 3 1999 Nationality: Spain 🇪🇸 Height: 170 m Position: Attacking Midfield Contract until: 30.06.2019 Well we got the Spanish Lionel Messi I just hope we will become important to our squad his ball ⚽️ control is amazing and he has an eye for Goals He is good going forward and his passing is always on point ever since Real Madrid started to send scouts to watch him I started watching his highlights and I can tell that Real Madrid has got a talented player in your hands I just hope Solari doesnt F up with this one like he did with Isco Its like Solari has no tactics at all so please Solari dont F up with our Lionel Messi
EminenceBASIT
66
This really doesn't call for much happiness because Madrid got some promising players but ready made players like Giroud and Lukaku is their choice
Udit011
60
rma paid 15 for a player who they could get for free in summer just to do the business like gentlemens and dont disrespect men city.
AustinMoraes31
47
Lunin,Odriozola,Javier Sanchez ,Reguilon,Ceballos, Cristo Gonzalez,Asensio , Vinicious, Odegaard,Rodrygo,B.Diaz,Renier,Lucas Silva,Borja Mayoral,JUST HOW MUCH TALENT DOES REAL HAVE???They need to loan these guys
Nesaiknruy_Legend
47
Trust me when I say this is gonna be a much bigger L than Jadon Sancho. This kid is probably the best player to come out of the City academy imo. I've watched his development process and no doubt he's a top 3 player in his age group and a potential top 5 player in the world in the future if he lives up to expectations. There's a reason they call him the Spanish Messi. Every goal this kid scorers is elegant and every dribble he makes is amazing. City are losing a huge talent.....
whykallar
45
A good manager/club will always allowed a player to leave whenever he decide to leave the club, saying you want to convince him, is just a waste of time, let the man go to team of his choice, as long you getting few refunds, better. Great job Man City/Pep.
BarcelonaManCityFC
41
Damn it! He was such a good player and now we lost him to Madrid. But it will be a huge step in his career. Good luck Brahim!!