5 young Spanish talents Real Madrid should be targeting for the long-term

#4 Toni Lato (Valencia)

The young left-back is one from the new breed of Spanish fullbacks and is an exciting prospect

Who to Replace: Marcelo

Buyout Clause: Unknown

Competition is vital for the biggest clubs as this ensures that players give 100% at all times.

Marcelo has been an awesome servant for Real Madrid since he joined in the January transfer window in 2007 from Fluminense but Father Time is beginning to catch up with the Brazilian and there is a need for ready-made replacements to be in place before his legs give up completely.

19-year-old Theo Hernandez was brought in from Atletico Madrid this season and the prognosis is that the young French left-back is a quality player and will provide a great long-term option for the left side the Los Blancos defence.

However, in looking to eventually replace Marcelo (who is currently 29 years of age) effectively when he leaves, Florentino Perez and coach Zinedine Zidane can take a look at Valencia’s emerging young left back Toni Lato.

Young Lato has been receiving rave reviews ever since he made the step up from the academy to the first team at Los Che and alongside fellow youth team product José Luis Gayà, the left side of the Valencia defence will not be an issue for years to come.

Pacy, defensively solid, intelligent and an effective team player, Lato should be entering his peak years by the time Marcelo is ready to leave the Santiago Bernabeu and would have no problems replacing the Brazillian legend.