Madrid had been considering entering the market for another striker but Garcia’s emergence has changed those plans
Real Madrid are close to finalising a new contract for their 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia.
The agreement, expected to be announced in the coming weeks, will see Garcia promoted permanently to the first-team squad and receive a significant pay rise. Madrid also plan to raise his release clause to deter interest from other clubs.
Garcia has been training with the senior side during pre-season and is in contention for a place in Xabi Alonso’s squad when Madrid begin their La Liga campaign against Osasuna.
The youngster’s breakthrough came in the Club World Cup in the United States, where he stepped in during Kylian Mbappe’s absence and became one of the tournament’s standout performers.
He scored four goals across the competition, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer, and retained his place in the starting line-up even in Madrid’s semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid had been considering entering the market for another striker, but Garcia’s emergence has changed those plans.
Sources at the club say Alonso views him as a reliable option for the season ahead, capable of providing depth and removing the need for further recruitment in that position.
