Real Madrid are finalizing the signing of 19-year-old Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Martinez, who will join the Spanish capital club to begin with reserve team Real Madrid Castilla.
The decision has been made and communicated to the directors of Racing Santander, Real Madrid and competing clubs, leaving only the contract signature required to complete the transfer.
The plan allows Martinez to play for Racing Santander in their LaLiga matchday two fixture against Getafe before bidding farewell to the Cantabrian club.
Transfer negotiations and rival interest
Real Madrid chose to negotiate directly with Racing Santander rather than activating the player's 3 million euro release clause in order to reach a smooth agreement.
Valdebebas scouts have tracked the teenage midfielder for more than a season, monitoring his progress long before his top-flight debut in LaLiga.
In recent days, Martinez and Racing Santander received multiple inquiries from rival clubs, with Barcelona, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid all presenting proposals that were set aside due to the player's preference for Real Madrid.
Second division side Mirandes also submitted a concrete offer that guaranteed him a leading role, but that option did not move forward.
A similar situation occurred during the winter transfer window, when Real Madrid, Barcelona and Villarreal made formal offers, all of which Martinez rejected to remain in Santander and stay close to Racing's first team.
Record goal and career milestone
At 19 years and 93 days old, Martinez became Racing Santander's youngest LaLiga goalscorer of this century when he scored against Villarreal on the opening weekend of the season.
He struck a 126.7 km/h shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner before kissing the club crest and celebrating in tears by the corner flag.
The goal capped a remarkable 12-month trajectory, having made his first-team debut for Racing Santander as a late substitute against Castellon in August 2025 before making his full LaLiga debut a year later.
During the match against Villarreal, he shared the pitch with 35-year-old Sergio Canales, a fellow Cantabrian midfielder who also left Racing Santander for Real Madrid earlier in his career before returning to Santander this summer.
The primary obstacle for Martinez was choosing to leave top-flight football shortly after his standout debut, having previously made 10 appearances in Spain's second tier, Liga Hyperemotion, last season.
However, the pull of Real Madrid's long-term project and the prospect of progressing to the senior squad ultimately outweighed remaining in LaLiga with Racing Santander.
