Report: Real Madrid Interested in Spinazzola

There are no shortage of links between Real Madrid and AS Roma. The two capital clubs may exist in different stratospheres but they seem to cross paths quite often, whether in reality or fantasy. From Madrid's failed pursuit of Francesco Totti in 2004 to their purchase of Antonio Cassano to Roma's gambles on Real castoffs like Cicinho and Julio Baptista, there is more history between these two clubs than fans probably realize.

And, if Spanish outlet AS is correct, Madrid would like to deepen those connections by signing Leonardo Spinazzola. With two goals and four assists in 27 league appearances, Roma's 28-year-old left-back was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing season for the Giallorossi, and while he wasn't exactly a wallflower, Euro 2020 is proving to be Spinazzola's coming out party.

With instrumental performances in Italy's first two group matches, a pair of 3-0 victories over Turkey and Switzerland, Spinazzola has been one of the stars of the group stages, earning rave reviews from pundits and journalists all over Europe. Considering his performances with Roma and the spotlight afforded by Euro 2020, it was only a matter of time before the mega clubs came calling.

I don't want to toot my own horn, but...beep, beep.

Okay, okay. I may have pegged the wrong mega club, but the sentiment was spot on. According to AS, Real Madrid's new manager, none other than Carlo Ancelotti, has quite a sweet spot for Spinazzola and may have dispatched an emissary to the south of France to discuss a possible transfer of the 28-year-old. And we're not talking about some random Madrid executive stuffed into business class on a red-eye flight. Nope. Madrid has reportedly sent former Lille director Luis Campos to the riveria to discuss a possible Spinazzola transfer with Davide Lippi, Spinazzola's agent.

According to AS, Campos and Lippi are set to discuss a possible Spinazzola for Borja Mayoral swap. Mayoral, who came to Roma last summer on a two-year loan, can be purchased outright next summer for €20 million. However, with both clubs suffering financial difficulties at the moment, AS reasons that a swap might suit both party's current wants, needs, and financial realities.

Real Madrid's incumbent left-back, Marcelo, is getting on in years and makes €8 million per season (net), so Spinazzola would be a younger and cheaper option going forward. Signing Spinazzola would also afford Ancelotti the luxury of deploying new signing David Alaba further up the pitch, so Madrid's motivation is obvious.

The same cannot be said for Roma, who has only young Riccardo Calafiori behind Spinazzola on the depth chart. With his injury woes behind him, Spinazzola is finally living up to his enormous potential, a fact that is apparently not lost on the whole of Europe as he continues to terrorize opponents during Euro 2020, but Roma would be foolish to let him walk away now.

This may have been the first Spinazzola transfer rumor we've reported on but it definitely won't be the last. This story will likely amount to nothing but it does speak volumes about Spinazzola's growing standing in the game.