Real Madrid Striker Set To Join Lazio: Has Zidane Made The Right Call Regarding His Future? | OneFootball

According to a recent report by Marca, Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral is set to join Lazio in this off-season. The same source has also claimed that the Spanish striker could become the first player to part ways with Los Blancos this summer as the Italian outfit are closing in on a €20m move to land him during this summer transfer period.

Mayoral’s Impressive Loan Spell At Levante Last Season

The 23-year-old enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Levante last season where he produced a series of eye-catching displays as the focal point of Paco López’s attack. He made 36 appearances for the Spanish side in the previous campaign, netting nine goals and providing two assists in all competitions which highlight his growing impact in the final third.

Mayoral has caught the eye with his overall contributions as a centre-forward over the past 12 months as evident from his average of 1.4 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in La Liga last season. However, he has been a bit sloppy on the ball after completing 79.3% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).

The Parla-born talent has represented Spain at various youth ranks but is yet to make a senior appearance for his homeland. Maybe a summer move to Italy could allow him to perform at a high level and secure a few senior caps for his nation in the years to come.

What Are The Spanish Marksman’s Best Attributes?

Mayoral can use his quickness and ball-control to make some well-timed runs in behind the opposition defence. He is a composed finisher in front of goal but can sometimes be a bit wasteful with his passes in the attacking third. The Spanish centre-forward is proficient at making space for himself and getting a few shots in on-target which makes him a constant menace for the opposition defenders.

Has Los Blancos Made The Right Call With Regards To Mayoral’s Future?

Mayoral showed a few signs of progress in the previous campaign. However, he might struggle to earn regular first-team minutes at the Spanish capital as he is still not good enough to compete with Karim Benzema for a regular spot in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI.

At 23, Mayoral needs to ensure regular game time if he wants to take his game to the next level. Therefore, it is only fair for Los Blancos to sanction his departure this summer. At the same time, Zidane should consider inserting a buy-back clause just in case the player ends up becoming a top talent in the coming seasons. With all things considered, it seems like the Madrid giants have made the right call by opting to sell the Spanish goal-getter as they could also use the cash generated from his sale to strengthen other areas of their squad.