La Liga giants Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on the performances of a leading member of the defensive ranks at Serie A outfit Lazio.
That’s according to Diario AS, who point towards Mario Gila as the player in question.
Gila, for his part, has previous experience plying his trade on the books of Real Madrid.
This comes after the Spaniard spent four years developing at Valdebebas, before departing for the aforementioned Lazio on a permanent basis in the summer of 2022.
And, after something of a shaky start to life in Italy, Gila has since gone on to establish himself as one of the Italian top-flight’s standout defenders.
The 24-year-old is now considered one of the first names on the team sheet of boss Marco Baroni, having racked up 18 appearances in all competitions across the season to date.
And such fine form has evidently not gone unnoticed on the part of those behind the scenes at Gila’s former club.
As per a report from **[Diario AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/gila-una-opcion-al-alza-n/)**, amid an ongoing search for reinforcements at the back:
‘Mario Gila is an option that Real Madrid like, although there have been no contacts yet. The circumstances are favourable: Madrid would have to reach an agreement with Lazio, but would only pay half of the valuation.’
As part of their agreement to send Gila to Rome two years ago, Los Blancos maintained half of the stopper’s playing rights.
He could therefore be available for a cut-price fee, in the case of Florentino Pérez and co. making the call to actively pursue a return.
Conor Laird – GSFN