Real Madrid were thought to have concluded their transfer business for the summer weeks ago, but they might have just completed the steal of the summer.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the Spanish giants have reached an agreement for the transfer of Racing Santander youngster Sergio Martinez.

The Spain U-19 international will move to the Bernabeu on a four-year deal, with the club prepared to keep him immediately instead of sending him out on loan.

They have managed to beat several clubs from Germany, England, and Saudi Arabia, and notably rivals Barcelona to the signature of the 19-year-old midfielder.

How Real Madrid Beat Barcelona to Sergio Martinez

Sergio Martinez was highly sought-after this summer, having shown glimpses of his quality as Racing Santander made their way from La Liga 2 last season.

Los Blancos found out about his availability and release clause, and joined the queue of clubs interested in his services, one of which was Barcelona.

In a bid to beat the opposition, Madrid reached an agreement with Racing Santander that would see them pay above the €3 million release clause of the teenage midfielder.

He will now sign a deal running until 2030 and initially join Castilla, just like defender Oscar Naasei.

Martinez is expected to train with Jose Mourinho's first team occasionally and could have opportunities to impress during the season.

A loan back to Racing Santander was initially mooted, but the club has decided to keep him and not loan him back to his boyhood club.

Sergio Martinez’s Rapid Rise at Racing Santander

Sergio Martinez was born in Laredo and joined Racing Santander from his hometown team in 2017 as a 10-year-old.

He rose through the ranks and signed a professional deal at the club last summer, joining the senior squad for pre-season ahead of the 2025-26 season.

By November, the club offered him a new contract until June 2029 with a modest release clause of €3 million.

He appeared 13 times for his club during the season, helping them to win the Segunda Division and secure a return to La Liga.

The central midfielder had an opportunity to leave Racing Santander in January but declined, preferring to reach La Liga with his boyhood club.

Martinez was named in the starting XI for Racing Santander's first game back in the top flight, and he justified his inclusion with a stunning strike from outside the box in the 2-2 draw against Villarreal.

He also appeared in their second game against Getafe and was an unused substitute in their 3-2 win over Elche last night, with his absence from the starting XI coming amid ongoing negotiations over his future.

Martinez stands at 6'1" but combines his size with the technical quality and close control of a much smaller player.

He uses his tall frame to get about in midfield, allowing him to shield the ball from opponents. His long legs allow him to tackle effectively without needing to go to ground frequently.

His goal against Villarreal also demonstrated his shooting ability, adding another dimension to his already impressive profile.

What Young Players Can Learn From Sergio Martinez’s Rise

Young players must understand the balance between loyalty to their boyhood clubs and their long-term career ambitions.

Martinez has largely remained loyal to his boyhood club for the most part, but chose to move when an opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world opened up.

Young players must also know that the long-term project presented to them by a club must be considered carefully in deciding to join the club or otherwise.

Real Madrid presented Martinez with a pathway that convinced him to commit to the club, showing him a clear pathway to senior football at the club.

Young players should also remain patient and not force transfers, particularly in the middle of a season, as it may prevent them from patiently weighing up their options, and they may end up moving impulsively.

Sergio Martinez resisted the lure of a move elsewhere in January, preferring to reach the summer before choosing to move, and his patience has been rewarded with a move to Real Madrid.

Finally, young players must learn to balance their technical quality with their physical attributes to maximise their performance levels.