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Real Madrid have won the race for one of the brightest young prospects in Spanish football, finalising a key agreement after strong competition from Barcelona, Villarreal and several other interested clubs.

The player is 19-year-old Sergio Martinez, who drew attention from some of Spain's biggest sides after breaking into Racing Santander's senior team last season, when the club were still playing in the Second Division.

Although he had the opportunity to leave during the winter window, the youngster decided to stay on until the end of the campaign. Racing then secured promotion to La Liga.

Martinez has continued his impressive progress since that promotion, even getting on the scoresheet in Racing's 2-2 draw against Villarreal on the opening weekend of the La Liga season.

Real Madrid's pull ultimately settled the matter.

According to Spanish newspaper AS on Saturday, Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Martínez Montero on a contract that will run until 2030.

The report adds that Martínez will first link up with Real Madrid Castilla, while also having the chance to take part in first-team training. The transfer gives him an opportunity to continue developing under the watch of the club's coaching staff, headed by Jose Mourinho.

He had started to feature for Racing's first team in the closing stages of last season, making 10 appearances in the Spanish second division.

AS also states that Real Madrid's appeal, along with the possibility of eventually earning a place in the first team, was the decisive factor in the midfielder's choice.

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal all tried to stop the move.

Marca reported that Racing and the player received a series of calls in recent days from clubs attempting to redirect his future. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal were among those interested, along with teams from the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga and the Saudi League.

That interest did not change Martinez's mind. He remained committed to his decision to wear the Real Madrid shirt and rejected every other proposal placed before him.

Importantly, Real Madrid decided against activating the player's 3 million euro release clause. Instead, they worked to reach an agreement directly with Racing, aiming to avoid creating friction during talks and to preserve a good relationship between the clubs going forward.

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