Reading wonderkid set to snub Arsenal and seal DREAM Real Madrid move
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 10 Dec 2023 15:56 GMT
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are reportedly set to beat Arsenal to the signing of Reading youngster Caylan Vickers, who has also attracted interest from Leicester City and Celtic.
Vickers is just 18 years old, but he has established himself as a key player for the League One side this campaign, scoring three goals in 18 appearances this term.
The teenager typically plays as a centre-forward, although he is capable of playing across the forward line and his breakout onto the senior stage has garnered the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Vickers first appeared on Arsenal’s radar after he scored against their U21 side in the EFL Trophy in mid-November, with Reading winning the game 5-2.
Leicester, Celtic and Norwich have also sent scouts to watch Vickers in action this term, but The Sun have reported that Real Madrid are set to win the race to sign him.
According to the report, Los Blancos opened talks with Reading this week and are looking to sign Vickers in the January window. If their pursuit is successful, then he will join their Castilla side until he is ready to make the step up to first-team action.
Furthermore, Reading reportedly want a fee of £1 million to sanction a sale of Vickers, as they look to bring in cash following a difficult period on the pitch.
They are currently 23rd in League One, level on points with Cheltenham Town, who are bottom of the table.
Vickers to leave Reading?
Although Vickers is a forward, he is unlikely to step into the void left by Karim Benzema straight away.
Jude Bellingham has essentially replaced the Frenchman this season, although Brazilian wonderkid Endrick is a more like-for-like replacement for Benzema and he will join the club from Palmeiras in 2024.
Vickers signed his first professional contract with Reading in July, before making his first-team debut against Peterborough United one month later.
