Brahim Diaz to Real Madrid getting closer to reality by the day

It defies logic. But it may happen anyway. As per reports, Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz is getting closer to leaving the club to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in search of more playing time. Yes, you read that right, more playing time.

Although he earned a Premier League winners’ medal with the Sky Blues last season having made five substitute appearances in the league, things have not improved this term with regard to playing time.

As such, the Spaniard, whose contract with City is set to expire on June 30 has decided not to renew. This, despite the fact that City have been trying to convince him to put pen to paper on a new deal for months. The 19-year-old has however, remained resolute on his decision to leave the Etihad Stadium. The European champions are set to take advantage of the situation as he is free to speak to potential suitors from January 1, 2019.

As per Marca, Madrid have offered the youngster a chance to play in the first team at the Santiago Bernabéu for the second half of the season, if he joins them in January. There is also the opportunity to continue with the team next term based on performance for which the player is confident will be good enough. He can also choose to run out the contract with City and leave on a free in the summer.

The display of belief in his ability from Los Blancos is what the youngster feels is lacking in Manchester.

Diaz, who moved to Manchester in January 2014 at just age 14 came close to joining Barcelona having come through the youth system at Malaga. Since moving to England, he has won the Youth League with City without losing a single game while playing alongside the likes of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden.

Sancho sensationally moved to Germany and has been turning heads in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. Foden on the other hand has been integrated into the first team by City boss Pep Guardiola. The 18-year-old has made a total of 12 appearances in all competitions for City so far in this campaign, seven of which are in the league.

But Diaz, is yet to make a match day squad in the Premier League this term and has only featured in two Carabao Cup games all season. Yet, he scored twice against Fulham in his second game thereby demonstrating his quality.

Even though he was called up to the senior squad permanently by Pep Guardiola last season, he is nowhere near becoming a regular in the team. That explains why he has decided not to renew his contract as he believes he will not be able to break into the City team anytime soon. Reports now have it that he has even reached an informal agreement with Madrid to move back to Spain.

Going back home is also believed to be a contributing factor to the 19-year-old Spanish youth international’s decision. His four sisters, mother and father moved with him to Manchester back in 2014 and the family’s desire to return to Spain may be a huge factor in his decision. And who can blame him? As it is said , there’s no place like home. The added benefit of moving to the most successful club in Europe adds spice to the deal.

Losing Diaz will leave the Cityzens facing the very real prospect of losing two of their three brightest academy graduates in two seasons. But it will certainly not be the end of the world as there is no shortage of world-class talent at the Etihad Stadium.