Real Madrid reportedly want Villarreal to hand more minutes to Takefusa Kubo during the closing months of 2020.
Los Blancos have allowed the Japanese prospect to spend the campaign at their fellow La Liga side, hoping that the winger can continue to acclimatise to Spain's top flight.
However, the 19-year-old is yet to start a game under Unai Emery, instead only being used as a late substitute in each of Villarreal's five domestic fixtures.
According to Cadena SER, Real will monitor the situation until the beginning of the January transfer window.
The report suggests that club officials are prepared to recall Kubo and loan him to another club should he not be provided with regular game time.
Kubo spent the 2019-20 campaign at Mallorca, making a total of 23 starts and 12 substitute outings in La Liga.
