"Real" Madrid understands that Marcelo's career is gradually coming to an end, so they are already actively thinking about his possible replacement. In 2017, "Los Blancos" acquired Theo Hernandez from "Atletico Madrid", who was considered as a backup for Marcelo, but he failed to prove his worth last season, and this year his loan spell at "Real Sociedad" is also not going according to plan. The Spanish newspaper AS reports that the attention of "Real" management has turned to the camp of "Real Betis" in Seville. "Los Verdiblancos" are seriously interested in 22-year-old left-back Junior Firpo. His release clause is set at 50 million euros, but Madrid's team believes the player is worth that money and would be willing to buy out his contract without lengthy negotiations with "Real Betis". Marcelo still has three years left on his contract with "Real", but it is not ruled out that he will leave the team in the summer, as he would like to reunite with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing for "Juventus". J. Firpo is a product of the "Real Betis" academy. This season, he scored three goals and provided two assists in 18 appearances, impressing "Real" scouts with his performance at "Camp Nou" stadium, where his team defeated Barcelona 4-3.
