Real Madrid's search for a midfielder is no secret. Los Blancos have been on the lookout for a big-name addition, with Paul Pogba being their number one target.
Zinedine Zidane is a huge fan of the Frenchman and seeks to lure him to Santiago Bernabeu. Christian Eriksen is another name on Los Blancos' wish list but the odds of the Spanish giants landing any of the two Premier League stars are diminishing.
As a result, it is being reported that the 13-time Champions League winners have turned their attention elsewhere. According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are now eyeing a move for a Liga starlet.
That man is none other than Espanyol's Marc Roca. The report states that he caught the attention of Los Blancos after a stellar display against them last season. Since then, the Madrid giants have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
The Espanyol ace would then go on to feature the summer Euro U21 Championship, helping Spain lift the title. He would play in five games and scored once in the semi-final victory over France.
However, Roca won't come cheap. While he will not leave a huge dent in their pocket as the likes of Pogba and Eriksen would have, his Catalan employers are demanding his $44M release clause be met. Los Merengues, however, are planning on a player-plus-cash offer.
The Spaniard, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, has also garnered interest from Bayern Munich. A few Premier League heavyweights have also been following his situation.
