Steven Fletcher could become a Real Madrid player this summer if the Hibernian striker continues to impress the Spanish champions. Fletcher, who is valued at £4 million, was watched last week as he scored as hat-trick against Gretna and Real’s scouts will also study his display - and goal - against Aberdeen yesterday as part of an intensive scrutiny.

The Scotland under-21 player is on the list of potential signing targets for Madrid, who have patiently been assessing him since he exploded on to the scene in 2006 by scoring the goals that took Scotland to the final of the European Under-19 Championship, which the Scots lost 2-1 to Spain.

A Real Madrid scout was at Easter Road last Wednesday to see Fletcher illuminate the 4-2 victory over Gretna and the club’s head of scouting, Julen Lopetegui, has asked the Edinburgh club for DVDs of every match Fletcher has featured in this season.

Lopetegui said: “This is normal protocol for us when we’re assessing a young player like Fletcher.” The Spanish club will make a final decision on whether to sign the 20-year-old in May.

Fletcher, is on a list of ten highly-rated youngsters Real Madrid were monitoring across Europe. They have already watched him at least three times this term and will continue to keep an eye on the striker until the end of the campaign.

Real scouts will be at Pittodrie next month to see Fletcher in action against Finland for Scotland Under-21s. Fletcher was also assessed when he led Scotland in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup finals last summer in Canada.

The player and his agent, Scott Fisher, were contacted by the La Liga side in December and Hibernian are aware of the interest. If Madrid decide to move for Fletcher their plan is to either loan him out to another Spanish side for a year or include him in their B team who are currently trying to win promotion to the Segunda Division – the tier below La Liga.