Real Madrid News
18-year-old Real Madrid prodigy has ‘surprised’ the senior members of the squad
Nico Paz is one of the most talented young gems coming through the youth ranks at Real Madrid. Just 18 years of age, the Argentine prodigy arrived at the club in 2016 and is held in high regard.
Yet to make a first-team debut for Real Madrid, that could change for Nico Paz as he has been called up for the Copa del Rey encounter against Cacereno by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
And, according to MARCA journalist Mario Cortegana, the 18-year-old has managed to surprise and make an impression on the senior members of the Real Madrid squad.
Nico Paz has played seven times for Raul’s Real Madrid Castilla outfit this season, while he has also turned out five times in the UEFA Youth League with Alvaro Arbeloa’s Under-19 outfit. The young attacking midfielder has netted five goals in his five European appearances.
Having been called up to train with the first team on occasions, the Argentine prodigy has seemingly managed to impress the senior members of the squad already.
It has previously been suggested that several higher-ups within the club have great hopes for Nico and believe that he is already prepared to make the step up to the senior team. And Cortegana has reaffirmed the same, stating that he is well-valued by the club officials.
Young Nico signed a new contract with Real Madrid recently, committing his future to the Spanish capital giants. And the 18-year-old could soon celebrate it by making his senior debut tomorrow when Los Blancos take on Cacereno in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 encounter.
Manchester City have now joined the ever-growing list of admirers for Celta Vigo midfielder and Real Madrid target Gabri Veiga, reports Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the breakout stars of La Liga this season, having impressed with his goalscoring abilities from the centre of the park. Indeed, the youngster has notched up nine goals in La Liga and his exploits have made the giants of Europe sit up and take notice.
Real Madrid are said to be interested in Veiga’s services heading into the summer. The Merengues have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Dani Ceballos on expiring contracts and it is unlikely that all three will be renewed, especially with Jude Bellingham being on the agenda.
In case of Modric and Kroos, even if they stay, it will likely be for only a season at the most. Hence, Los Blancos could require more than one central midfielder come summer, with Veiga emerging as an option.
The 20-year-old was also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. Now, Manchester City have also jumped on the bandwagon of clubs interested in Veiga’s services.
The Cityzens, who are battling Real Madrid for Bellingham as well, are set to lose Ilkay Gundogan in the summer when his contract expires. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is also far from certain, thus necessitating the signing of another midfielder.
Veiga has a release clause worth €40 million in his contract with Celta Vigo, which should not be a problem for either Real Madrid or Manchester City.
Celta Vigo president Carlos Mourino recently admitted that the midfielder could leave the club in the summer, saying:
“We don’t want to sell Gabri Veiga, but they are going to buy him from us. And we can’t do anything there. We know some of his offers and it is impossible to reach them.
“There are several teams behind Gabri. Real Madrid? They haven’t asked us, we don’t know if they will have called the player. Of the top 10 in the Premier League, four have asked about him.”
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for Veiga’s signing or decide to entirely focus on their pursuit of Bellingham.
