Real Madrid have a decision to make as Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly ready to trigger the release clause of Rayo Vallecano defender Fran Garcia, who Los Blancos have the right to first refusal to if Rayo Vallecano decides to sell the player.
Fran Garcia, who is a product of the Real Madrid academy, initially joined Rayo Vallecano on loan from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020. Rayo Vallecano then signed Fran Garcia from Real Madrid on a four-year contract in 2021.
But Real Madrid have 50% of Fran Garcia’s rights and have the right to first refusal. That means Real Madrid will be given the priority to sign the player when Rayo Vallecano decides to sell him.
Fran Garcia reportedly has a €10m release clause in his contract. But since Real Madrid owns 50% of his rights, the Spanish behemoths will be able to sign him by spending just half of that, €5m.
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Bayer Leverkusen wants to trigger Fran Garcia’s release clause
According to the Spanish sports website Relevo, Bayern Leverkusen wants to trigger the release clause in Fran Garcia’s contract and sign the highly-rated player. The German outfit has communicated its intention to both Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid now have a decision to make. They need to decide whether to exercise the right to first refusal on the player and spend €5m to sign the 23-year-old.
Garcia is a player Real Madrid were reportedly considering adding to their squad next season. But they are now forced to make a decision earlier than they might have hoped.
Should Real Madrid decide not to exercise their right to first refusal on the player, they will receive half of the transfer fee any club pays to acquire the services of Fran Garcia.
Meanwhile, Garcia is a regular starter for Rayo Vallecano, who sit ninth in the La Liga points table. He has featured in 20 games across La Liga and Copa del Rey for Rayo Vallecano so far in the 22/23 season.
Of those 20 appearances, 18 have come in La Liga, where he has started in each of those. That means he has featured in every single La Liga game Rayo Vallecano have so far played this season.
