La Liga club explore loan move for Real Madrid defensive prospect – report | OneFootball

According to MARCA, Valencia have added Real Madrid starlet Joan Martinez to their list of defensive targets as they continue working to reshape their squad ahead of the new season.

While the club’s immediate priority remains reducing the size of the current squad, head coach Carlos Corberan is also eager to strengthen several positions before pre-season begins.

Joan Martinez emerges as a target

Among the players under consideration at Mestalla is Joan Martinez, the highly rated 18-year-old centre-back currently with Real Madrid Castilla.

Martinez joined Real Madrid two seasons ago after developing in Levante’s academy. Despite suffering a serious knee injury during his early years in Madrid, he has continued to progress impressively and is regarded as one of the club’s brightest young defenders.

His development has already been recognised at senior level, earning call-ups to the Real Madrid first-team squad under both Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa. The club believes his long-term potential remains extremely high.

Joan Martinez wanted by Valencia. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Valencia’s interest is largely driven by their current shortage of central defenders. Both Jose Copete and Mouctar Diakhaby are sidelined through injury, leaving Corberan with limited options at the heart of defence.

The situation is expected to change further, with Cenk Ozkacar, who has one year remaining on his contract, likely to leave the club this summer.

As such, club officials believe Martinez could inject fresh energy and quality into the back line while continuing his development with regular first-team football.

Proposed loan with purchase pption

Martinez remains under contract with Real Madrid until 2029, meaning Valencia would not be able to sign him permanently without Madrid’s approval.

Instead, the club have explored the possibility of a loan deal that includes an option to buy.

Martinez is unlikely to be a part of Jose Mourinho’s plans. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Under the proposal, Real Madrid would retain a percentage of the player’s future economic rights, a structure the club has frequently used when allowing graduates from La Fabrica to leave in recent years.

This model enables Real Madrid to maintain long-term control over promising academy products while allowing them to gain valuable senior experience elsewhere.

At this stage, discussions remain in the early stages. Valencia have made their interest known and sounded out the possibility of a deal, but negotiations have not progressed beyond the initial enquiry.

With Real Madrid expected to sign another centre-back after already bringing in Ibrahima Konate, loaning out Joan Martinez to another La Liga club would make sense so that he can play regular first-team football.