Real Madrid will trigger their buy-back option in Frankfurt midfielder Omar Mascarell at the end of the season, claims AS.
Mascarell signed a three-year deal with Frankfurt in the summer of 2016 and has impressed during his spell with the Bundesliga side.
Madrid have forged a successful business model out of selling academy graduates and then re-signing them at a later date.
Zinedine Zidane’s side re-signed Jesus Vallejo from Frankfurt last summer and are now set to follow that up by bringing Mascarell back to the Bernebau in a €4m (£3.5m) deal.
Mascarell will have the chance to prove himself to Zidane during their pre-season tour and could even play a key part for the club at the start of next season.
The 2018 World Cup means nearly all of Madrid’s first-team squad will return to pre-season later than usual and that will provide opportunities to the likes of Mascarell.
Mascarell, who is a defensive midfielder, averages more tackles and interceptions per league game than any other Frankfurt player this season (5.4).