Real Madrid is said to choose between two players to act as Kylian Mbappe's Understudy next season – and the decision can lead to one of them leaving the club.
Mbappe is Xabi Alonso's undisputed No. 9, but after he missed part of the club World Cup after treatment in the hospital for gastro -centeritis, Youngster Gonzalo Garcia was set up and impressed by four goals in six competitions.
It seems to be a straight shooting between Garcia and colleague Wonderkid Endrick for the role of backup and according to AS, really, that they need crucial minutes next season, would rather not hinder both players and the risk of hindering their development.
That is likely to see that one of them has pushed out in the coming weeks, even though they want to stay and be part of the first team of Alonso in his first campaign that was in charge.
Brazilian sensation Endrick even told through his entourage that he is not considering leaving, even for a temporary move, despite the wishes of the club.
Garcia, on the other hand, has shown that he is also ready for the senior team after he had taken the Golden Boot home at the Club World Cup. His striking displays also placed him on the radar of three Top Premier League clubs, as a claim.
The frontman's preference is to stay with the Bernabeu and the negotiations are underway on a new contract, which would be rewarded with a considerable wage increase.
He has two years left on his current deal, which contains a release clause of £ 43 million.
Real splashed € 72 million (£ 62.7 million) to sign Endrick in 2022 when he was only 16 years old, and he joined his new teammates last summer after being 18.
The teenager only played 847 minutes under Carlo Ancelotti, despite the score of five goals in six Copa del Rey matches. He yielded seven goals in all competitions.
Alonso initially asked for another experienced back-up striker, in the form of Joselu, to act as Mbappe's Understudy, but then decided that Garcia was best placed to take on this role after viewing his impressive versions this summer.
He praised Garcia after the 3-0 victory on his side at RB Salzburg in the group phase of the World Cup group and said: 'I am not only happy with his goal and assisting, but also with how he returned to help with the defense and his efforts to press. He had freedom in attack.
'Many players left the field a good feeling.
“I am really happy for him and the whole team, but we know that the journey is still long.”
“What he does is not surprising at all,” Alonso added. “He has often shown it with Castilla. He is a classic No. 9 that waits at the right time and moves smartly. He reminds me of Raul with his movements. I am very happy for him.
“But there are no decisions about next season yet.”