Real Madrid chasing Hibs striker Steven Fletcher!!!

Spanish giants Real Madrid are expected to mount a £4m move for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher in the summer.

Fletcher, 20, has attracted the interest of the La Liga giants after his impressive performances or the Hibees and also for Scotland U19's, U20's and U21's over the last few years.

According to this morning's tabloids, Fletcher has been added to a shortlist of "10 most exciting young players in Europe" by the Spanish champions.

Hibs have only recently tied Fletcher up on a six-year-deal and made him the highest paid player at the club, making sure Hibs get a good fee for a player that has come through the famous Hibernian Youth Academy.

Apparently Real have been to Easter Road twice to watch the Hibees top scorer and plan to make another trip to check on the player's progress.

Real Madrid scouting chief Julen Lopetegui said:

"He is now one of 10 young players we are watching across Europe. It's a complicated process and we know it will be a hard choice.

"It's true Fletcher is in the second phase now. We will watch him again before making a definite decision."

Spanish U21 coach Inaki Saez also waded in to praise the young forward, he said:

"During the last couple of years the level of young players in Scotland has increased.

"Fletcher is proof of it. He has a big future and I can't understand why he isn't playing for Celtic or Rangers." (Because they can't get him on the cheap, would be your answer Mr Saez:-))

Sky Sports Spanish TV pundit Guillem Balague also added:

"I know the scout who watched Fletcher and he sent favourable reports to Mijatovic."

Fletcher is also attracting the interest of English Premiership clubs Bolton, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Everton and Wigan and it looks like this could be his last season in a Hibs shirt.

He is Hibs top scorer so far this season, despite being out for a while with ankle ligament damage.

He has scored 35 goals in 130 appearances in a Hibs shirt.

If this turns out to be concrete, what an exciting move it would be for the lad. Just goes to show the Hibernian Youth Academy is famous world wide!!

Thanks once again to the Alan Rennie and the Hibernian Interactive team for the use of the photo, you can join Hibs Interactive, and view ALL of the Hibees goals this season, as well as watching games LIVE on the internet(Only if you live OUTSIDE the UK) by clicking on the following link:

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