Real Madrid have been very proactive in selling some of their top talents in the academy across European leagues, with the hope that they will make the same kind of impact as Nico Paz and yield financial benefits.
But as some youngsters move on for substantial fees, others step up to fill the void, and one player primed to do exactly that is Manex Rezola.
The talented midfielder has impressed since arriving last season and has now begun to catch the attention of first-team boss Jose Mourinho.
Rezola ready for a bigger role
According to AS, Rezola is set to become an important figure for Castilla this coming season after a seamless adaptation to life at the club.
Mourinho is taking notes of up and coming talents from Castilla. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Signed from Logrones last year to help Real Madrid C, the youngsters settled so quickly that he ended the campaign featuring for Castilla under Julian Lopez de Lerma, delivering a string of impressive performances.
The departure of several veterans from the reserve side has opened up a clear opportunity for the 19-year-old, and Lopez de Lerma is already showing he intends to lean on him heavily.
A natural attacking midfielder, Rezola may have to adapt to other roles given Pol Fortuny occupies his favoured position, but his willingness to learn has been praised at Valdebebas.
Notably, he may operate without an official Castilla squad number due to a lack of availability, but to all intents and purposes he will be a key member of the reserve team.
Mourinho has been impressed by Rezola’s talents. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
On Mourinho’s radar
Rezola’s fine form has not gone unnoticed by the first-team hierarchy either, with Mourinho having called him up for several senior training sessions in recent days.
The Portuguese has been welcoming towards all the academy players he has worked with during pre-season, and Rezola is no exception.
A genuine first-team breakthrough looks unlikely for now, given Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler dominate his position, but recent seasons have shown that anything is possible for La Fabrica graduates in a demanding calendar.
A classic number 10 who counts Luka Modric among his idols, Rezola offers the kind of creativity and composure in central areas that is increasingly rare.
For now, his focus will be on helping Castilla push for promotion, but he has clearly made an early impression on Mourinho