LUCAS Vazquez might not be the most glamorous of the players Real Madrid are hopeful of moving on this summer, but the diligent and determined winger could be an ideal summer window signing for Arsenal.
The understated Galician does not have the media profile – or the technical ability – of others who are being squeezed out of the Bernabeu at the moment, such as Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Isco or even Spain Under-21 midfielder Dani Ceballos.
However it can be argued that Lucas has been just as key to Madrid’s successes through recent years as any of those bigger names, and it’s significant that through Zinedine Zidane’s two spells as coach at the Bernabeu no player has made more appearances than the ever dependable and intelligent wide-man.
Reports are suggesting that Arsenal are battling three other clubs for the £30m transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Vásquez.
Thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/RNsyBzJuIj
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 6, 2019
It took quite a while for the Galician, who joined Madrid’s youth set up aged 16 from Deportivo La Coruna, to win over doubters at the Bernabeu. He was not an instant hit with the Castilla reserve team, and spent 2014/15 on loan at Espanyol. He was never called up for Spain’s underage sides as contemporaries like David De Gea, Thiago Alcantara and Isco were winning European trophies.
“The years in the youth system were pretty difficult, two seasons especially when I played less than I wanted, but I kept working hard and fighting,” he told Spanish radio last year. “It is not easy for homegrown Madrid players, we all have to show our worth. To play for Real Madrid is not easy.”
But Lucas stuck at it, when others might not have, and has been rewarded with 10 career trophies to date, including three Champions Leagues. All his coaches including Zidane have learned to trust in Lucas’ ability to do a job for the team – with his diligence and hard work helping to bring balance to a side full of bigger names and egos. Teammates like Isco or James Rodriguez might have more technical ability, but have found themselves passed out over time. Cristiano Ronaldo was one teammate who was a big fan of the team’s other winger driving to the endline and crossing to the back post, rather than cutting inside and shooting himself.
Lucas’ most memorable games for Madrid have tended to come in difficult circumstances. He has often started a season well down the pecking order before forcing his way into contention by the end of the year. For instance, in 2015/16 he had just one short appearance in the UCL from mid-October until late April. But he then had key roles in both semi-finals against Manchester City, and came off the bench to convert a penalty in the final shoot-out versus Atletico Madrid.
When it comes to Arsenal’s pursuit for a winger:
• Zaha is the number 1 priority.
• Malcom has been offered to Arsenal by Barça & there is interest to sign him.
• Despite reports of interest Lucas Vásquez is NOT on the agenda. #AFC pic.twitter.com/aOmJhjuGkK
— Liam (@EmileSmithRowe_) July 5, 2019
Such a profile makes it easy to believe the speculation that Arsenal manager Unai Emery has identified Lucas as one of his main priorities for this summer’s transfer market. The Basque clearly likes players who can understand complicated tactical instructions, and then carry them out to the letter on the pitch. The winger's mental fortitude and a winning mentality would also be useful as an example in the Gunners' squad.
Reports in Spain suggest that Emery has asked those above him to move forward on the move, and a fee of around €35 million could make sense to all involved. Zidane might be one of the few powerbrokers at the Bernabeu keen to keep him around as a squad member. In the end the decision might come down to whether Lucas himself feels the time is right for a move.
It could well be that the player himself feels he deserves a bit more of the spotlight at this stage of his career. There remains a feeling that Lucas’ strengths are valued more in the Bernabeu’s dressingroom than its boardroom or in the stands, with president Florentino Perez each summer adding a newer, younger, shinier competitor for his place on the wing. There might be no little motivation to prove people that he can be a star in his own right.
Still on Madrid's to-do list to move on – James, Theo, Ceballos, Mariano… Maybe Lucas Vazquez and Nacho too… Looks quite like Bale gonna stay at this stage.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 5, 2019
Adding to his current total of nine senior Spain caps is also a priority, having not featured since his role in La Roja’s disappointing World Cup 2018 in Russia. Playing regularly in the Premier League would be a boost for sure of his chances of returning to the set-up for Euro 2020 next summer.
Last week’s speculation of a transfer to Arsenal being close to completion looks at the moment to have been premature. Inter Milan are among the other suitors apparently monitoring the situation, without yet making a firm move, with Antonio Conte another example of a coach who would value his qualities.
Lucas was due to be on the plane to Montreal with the Madrid squad on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of their International Champions Cup games in the US. That might not be such a huge barrier to getting a move to Arsenal done though – as Madrid are due to play the Gunners in the ICC in Washington DC on July 27. Which team Lucas represents in that game remains right up in the air.
