Racing step up for Matteo Prati to strengthen the midfield

Real Racing Club Santander

The Racing side continues to take steps to strengthen its squad ahead of its return to Primera División and is already working on a new addition for the engine room. The Cantabrian club is negotiating with the Cagliari for the signing of Matteo Prati, an Italian midfielder aged 22 who has been an Under-21 international with the Italy national team of Italy and fits the profile the sporting directorate is looking for.

Prati is under contract with Cagliari, although he spent the second half of last season on loan at Torino, where he continued to build experience in Serie A. He is a defensive-minded midfielder, more comfortable as a pivot than as an interior, with the ability to bring balance to the team.

The deal bears the stamp of Chema Aragón, Racing's sporting director, who continues to explore the international market in search of young players with room to grow. He has already backed similar profiles such as Facu González or Gustavo Puerta, players he had been tracking since their respective national teams' youth ranks.

The squad coached by José Alberto begins pre-season this Monday with four signings already confirmed: Sergio Canales, Facu González, Asier Villalibre and the return of Yeray Cabanzón following his loan spell at the Andorra. However, the club expects to complete around eight signings over the summer to face the challenge of staying up with guarantees.

Before closing any more arrivals, Racing is also working on moving several players out to free up space in the squad. While those operations progress, Matteo Prati is emerging as one of the best-placed names to become the next reinforcement for the Santander-based side.