Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Madrid may have already done quite a lot of summer business, but it looks like they have also set their sights on some developmental bets.
All big clubs focus on bringing in players ahead of the curve, trying to get them in before their potential explodes, and Los Blancos are no different.
One player the club have been heavily linked with in recent days is Racing Santander midfield starlet Sergio Martinez.
Everything suggested that Madrid were close to securing the signing of the Spanish teenager.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Madrid are not the only club currently holding talks with the 19-year-old.
Champions League clubs enter the race
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
Sergio Martinez is a hot property in the market. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Romano has mentioned that clubs from both the Premier League and Bundesliga are pushing to sign Martinez.
The competition is especially significant because some of the interested clubs can offer Champions League football this season.
While the clubs in England and Germany have not been named, this could potentially complicate Madrid’s plans.
The Spanish giants have been working on a plan that would initially see Martinez join Castilla while remaining close enough to Jose Mourinho’s first team to potentially train with the senior squad.
For a player who has already made his breakthrough in La Liga, other clubs could potentially present a more immediate pathway to senior football.
Madrid remain firmly in the picture
Despite the additional competition, Real Madrid’s interest remains concrete.
Martinez has been monitored by the club for some time, and his impressive emergence at Racing has only strengthened their belief in his potential.
The midfielder recently announced himself at the highest level with an excellent goal on his La Liga debut for the newly promoted side.
While Madrid had moved into a strong position to secure his signature, they could now be leapfrogged by other clubs.
Martinez has a decision to make
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
All eyes on Martinez’s future. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Martinez now appears to have several attractive pathways in front of him.
Madrid can offer the prestige of joining one of Europe’s biggest clubs and a potential route towards Mourinho’s squad.
However, Champions League suitors from England and Germany could make compelling sporting proposals of their own.
There is also the option of staying at Racing Santander and continuing to grow and improve in the first division in an exciting team.
It remains to be seen whether Madrid can convince the teenager that dropping down to Castilla is worth the short-term sacrifice.
The next few weeks could be pivotal in deciding Sergio Martinez’s future, and it remains to be seen whether he chooses a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Espanyol take brutal dig at Real Madrid superstar after controversial incident in the penalty box
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid superstar
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Real Madrid left the RCDE Stadium with three points after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol, with Jude Bellingham and Carlos Espi getting the goals.
It was a win that marked Jose Mourinho’s first official victory as manager since his return to the club, and there were signs of promise.
One incident in particular that caused controversy involved Vinicius Junior and has continued long after the final whistle.
Espanyol aim sarcastic message at Vinicius
¿A partir de cuántas piscinas se saca la segunda amarilla? Es para un amigo.
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) August 22, 2026
Espanyol used their official social media account to take a thinly disguised swipe at the Brazilian after believing he should have received a second yellow card for simulation.
“After how many dives do you get a second yellow? Asking for a friend,” Espanyol posted.
While the tweet as such does not explicitly name Vinicius, there was little mystery about its intended target.
The incident came when Vinicius went down inside the Espanyol penalty area following slight contact from Edu Exposito.
The Madrid forward wanted a penalty, but referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez waved away his appeal and VAR did not intervene.
The frustration from Espanyol came from the fact that Vinicius had already been booked following an earlier confrontation with Alex Calatrava.
Espanyol wanted second yellow
There is a good possibility that the Madrid winger might have been given a yellow for simulation had he not already been on a booking.
Had that happened, Mourinho’s team would have been reduced to 10 men with more than half an hour remaining.
From Espanyol’s perspective, they are right to believe that such a sending-off could have changed the final result of the game.
However, there is some discussion to be had from the other direction too.
Madrid would have been justified in feeling Calatrava himself was fortunate to remain on the pitch after several incidents involving the Brazilian, including an early challenge and another foul.
Vinicius at centre of a heated encounter
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
It wasn’t the best of nights for Vinicius Jr. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
It was an uncomfortable evening for Vinicius, whose battle with Espanyol’s players became one of the major themes of the match.
Jose Mourinho subsequently defended his winger and criticised what he described as persistent “bullying” of the Brazilian, while acknowledging that Vinicius himself is not always blameless.
While Espi’s winner on his official debut ultimately gave Mourinho a 2-1 victory, the discussion seems to have taken a different tangent.
It is a new season in La Liga, and opponents continue to target Vinicius, and it remains to be seen how Jose goes about protecting him this season.