Real Madrid News
Atletico Madrid snatch promising youth talent from Real Madrid
Days after Real Madrid swooped in to sign a young prospect from Atletico Madrid’s academy, Los Rojiblancos have struck back with a move of their own.
According to reports from EsportBase (h/t Mundo Deportivo), 16-year-old Alvaro Vega will join Atletico Madrid after spending the last campaign with Real Madrid’s Cadete A side.
The move represents another chapter in the ongoing battle between the two Madrid rivals for emerging talent, with Atletico responding after seeing several of their own youngsters move to Valdebebas in recent years.
A highly rated prospect
Vega is regarded as one of the most promising players of his age group. Primarily a left winger, he can also operate as a second striker and has already represented Spain at U15 and U16 level.
He joined Real Madrid’s academy five years ago after beginning his development at Getafe and steadily progressed through the ranks at La Fabrica.
His technical ability and versatility made him one of the standout players in his generation.
The teenager will begin his first season as a youth player with Atletico Madrid. It remains unclear whether he will immediately join the club’s Juvenil A squad or start with Juvenil B, with that decision expected to depend on his performances during pre-season.
Atletico’s coaching staff are said to have high expectations for the youngster and will closely assess his development over the coming months.
Continuing the academy rivalry
Vega’s arrival is viewed as a response to the numerous academy players Real Madrid have attracted from Atletico in recent years.
Just days ago, reports confirmed Real Madrid’s move for 15-year-old right-back Adrian Bielsa, while concerns within Atlético’s academy have grown over the number of very young players leaving the club.
More than ten players under the age of ten have departed Atletico’s youth system over the last three years, making the recruitment battle between the two clubs increasingly intense.
Now, Atletico have struck back by adding one of Real Madrid’s own academy prospects to their ranks.
Whether Alvaro Vega develops into a first-team player remains to be seen, but his move underlines the importance both clubs place on securing the brightest young talents as early as possible.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
