Real Madrid are in talks about a new contract for highly-rated academy player Paulo Iago — but doubts have emerged on both sides over whether agreement will be reached.
Iago, 17, signed new terms on a two-year deal with Madrid only last year, with the Spanish club keen to keep hold of the attacking midfielder amid interest from a number of team across Europe.
Last year, Iago’s decision to only renew for two years instead of three, as Madrid would have liked, was considered a clear sign that he had serious doubts about his development at the club.
That is how Madrid sources — who, like all those cited here preferred to speak anonymously to protect relationships — view the situation again now. Sources close to Iago confirmed these doubts.
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Now, Madrid are once more looking to sign him to a new deal, as they are concerned he would be able to leave on a free transfer when his current deal expires next summer. Club sources said they were planning a short-term offer, with the idea to extend his contract by another year to 2026.
Iago, who recently represented Spain at the Under-17 European Championship, has been at Madrid since 2014. He played just 20 minutes in Cyprus as Spain suffered three defeats and were eliminated at the group stage.
Sources at Madrid’s academy rate him highly, but believe he should be more patient about opportunities to develop. Iago is already playing two years above his age group for Madrid’s under-19 side, managed by ex-Madrid and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
Several meetings have already taken place between Madrid and Iago’s representatives, but nothing was agreed and negotiations are expected to continue over the coming weeks.
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(Alex Caparros – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
