If Real Madrid sign this prospect in January, they cannot make the same mistake twice

Real Madrid have unearthed three of the next great players at each positional level. Eder Militao has been one of the best center backs in La Liga this season, Fede Valverde was vital to the team’s 2019-2020 title triumph, and Vinicius Junior has elevated himself to the superstar level in the 2021-2022 season.

Yet Los Blancos aren’t done showing interest in top young talent. They signed Eduardo Camavinga to bolster their midfield this summer, they have talented loanees like Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo Goes continues to look good, and others like Andriy Lunin and Antonio Blanco have serious talent. This summer, Real Madrid will go hard after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, with Aurelien Tchouameni standing out as a potential midfield target, too.

That’s not all, though. According to a report from Manu de Juan of AS, Real Madrid would like to sign Luiz Henrique of Fluminense in the January 2022 transfer window. Their plan is reportedly to sign him to Castilla for six months and then loan him for the 2022-2023 season so he can get meaningful experience.

If that sounds familiar to you, then it is because Real went the same route two years ago. They signed Reinier Jesus for 30 million euros from Flamengo, watched him shine for Castilla, and then sent him on a major loan deal to Borussia Dortmund. Things have clearly not worked out. Though nothing is likely to change, Real may try to get Reinier out of Dortmund during the coming winter market, at the same time they will reportedly try to sign Henrique from Fluminense.

If Real Madrid sign Luiz Henrique, they must get his loan correct

With four goals this season, Luiz Henrique has been Fluminense’s leading scorer. At the age of 20, he is already Fluminense’s best attacking player, chipping in two assists despite only starting about two-thirds of his 28 appearances. Per WhoScored.com, he averages 2.1 dribbles completed per game and rarely loses possession.

Though Reinier and Henrique are totally different players, Real Madrid must keep the Reinier situation in mind if they do decide to sign Henrique. He would be another investment and another talent who needs care. Clubs like Dortmund are big and have a great reputation for developing talent, but they are competitive. They may not be the best move for everyone, especially not as a first step. Madrid must keep in mind system fit and competition before giving the green light to a loan deal.

It’s unclear how much Henrique could cost. Depending on the fee, he could be worth it as an inexpensive, high-upside flier for Real Madrid’s future, and, at worst, someone who can bolster Castilla and eventually potentially be sold for a profit if he cannot break through a Real first team that could have Mbappe, Haaland, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Takefusa Kubo together one day.

If Juni Calafat and Los Blancos are sold on the Fluminense youngster, there is nothing wrong with signing him. The key will be what they do with the talented attacking player thereafter. They cannot waste two years of his development, as has happened to Reinier in the Bundesliga.