UEFA rules prevented Real Madrid from loaning exciting summer signing to Racing – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid have completed an unexpected late addition to their squad by signing 19-year-old Sergio Martinez from Racing Santander, but the move was not originally intended to take the midfielder away from his boyhood club this summer.

Notably, Martinez will be registered with Real Madrid Castilla and could train with Jose Mourinho’s first team, despite having already established himself with Racing’s senior side. 

The timing of the deal raised questions, particularly after Racing’s return to the top flight and Martinez’s impressive start to the new La Liga campaign.

According to journalist Alberto Pereiro, as relayed by Defensa Central, the explanation lies in a rule governing player transfers and subsequent loans, 

“There has been a rule at UEFA and FIFA level, in place for at least four seasons, which prevents a club from signing a player and then loaning him out during the same transfer window,” Pereiro explained.

Real Madrid wanted Martinez to stay at Racing

Real Madrid had been tracking Martinez for some time and wanted to secure his future while allowing him to continue developing in Santander.

Sergio Martinez has signed for Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Pereiro explained that the club attempted to find an agreement that would have allowed Martinez to remain at Racing until 2028. 

Those negotiations did not produce a solution, leaving Madrid with a difficult choice if they wanted to secure the midfielder.

“It was identified as a sort of business practice at the end of the season by teams, bringing back academy graduates who had performed exceptionally well elsewhere or players with a negotiable or even mandatory buy-back clause. 

“These situations occurred in various leagues, but it is now prohibited,” Pereiro added.

Real Madrid therefore activated Martinez’s €3 million release clause, bringing him to Valdebebas rather than leaving him in Santander.

A complicated situation for the teenager

As stated before, Martinez had just helped Racing return to the Spanish top flight after 14 years away.

Real Madrid wanted to loan Sergio Martinez back to Racing club. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

He also scored on his La Liga debut against Villarreal, which further strengthened the case for Racing to keep him involved.

However, Pereiro believes the change could have sporting consequences for the midfielder.

“Madrid tried every possible means to reach an agreement with Racing to sign him in 2028 and keep him there, but it didn’t work out, and now we’ll have to see how a player who is regarded as an all-round midfielder fits in. 

“And that position is occupied by the Valverdes, Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler. 

“What’s more, Thiago Pitarch is yet to return. Martinez stands to lose a great deal in competitive terms,” he concluded.