Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign 19-year-old midfielder Sergio Martínez from Racing de Santander in a deal worth approximately €3 million, according to Fichajes.
The Spanish teenager is expected to complete his move to the Bernabéu in the coming days, with the transfer scheduled to be formally sealed after this weekend. Martínez will initially be registered with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve side that competes in the Primera Federación, Spain’s third tier.
Rapid rise from Racing
Martínez emerged as one of the standout young prospects in Spanish football during the previous campaign. The midfielder made 13 first-team appearances for Racing de Santander as the Cantabrian club secured promotion back to La Liga.
His breakthrough performances in the second division caught the attention of several top-flight clubs seeking to strengthen their youth ranks. FC Barcelona and Villarreal were also monitoring Martínez’s situation before Real Madrid moved to secure his signature. The teenager has accepted Los Blancos’ proposal, choosing the pathway through Castilla over alternative options at rival clubs.
Castilla pathway
The move represents part of Real Madrid’s ongoing strategy to recruit promising talent from Spain’s lower leagues. Castilla serves as a crucial bridge between youth football and the first team, offering young players competitive minutes while they adapt to the club’s methods.
Martínez is expected to have opportunities to train under first-team manager José Mourinho during his time at the club, providing valuable exposure to elite-level coaching even while competing with the reserves.
The €3 million fee indicates Real Madrid view Martínez as a developmental project rather than immediate first-team cover. Once the deal is formally completed following the weekend, Martínez will officially join the club’s setup and begin working toward the ultimate goal of breaking into the senior squad.