Lucas Vázquez (Lucas) will be the new Real Madrid coach’s first signing. His excellent season for Espanyol playing wide on the right (4 goals and 6 assists in 39 games) has seen many clubs show interest in the 23 year old. When it appeared that finally the player was to stay at the Catalan club, the arrival of Benitez and his request for a winger with pace were factors that see Lucas back to Real Madrid (he played for Real Madrid C & B teams during 2010-2014.
In his move to Espanyol, there were various sub clauses that kept the door open for a return to the Spanish capital for the player. Madrid had an option to buy him back at the end of the 2014-15 season for a fee of 1.5 million euro or 3 million euro should the move take place at the end of the 2015-16 season. The deal finally will see Madrid pay 1 million euro to Espanyol but included youth player, Burgui moving to the Power8 Stadium on loan.
Benítez insisted that the team needed a pacy winger who was able to take on defenders. Lucas will be a key player in the much cited rotation plan that the new coach intends to employ at the Bernabeu in the season ahead.