Jesus Vallejo is returning to Real Madrid next season.

Real have confirmed to Vallejo that he will be among the senior squad's centre-back options for the 2017/18 season.

During the first half of a loan spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, the Spaniard was a revelation in Bundesliga and was only slowed by injury problems that began in February.

As Pepe leaves the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, there will be no need to splash the cash on a replacement as homegrown option Vallejo has Zinedine Zidane's blessing to make the step up and challenge Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez for a place in defence.

Contact between Madrid and the 20-year-old has been constant throughout the season to ensure that the player was doing his homework and developing in the right way.