Real Madrid News
Atletico Madrid striker target decides he wants to play for Real Madrid
Despite being just 17-years of age, Iker Bravo has taken the transfer window by storm. The Bayer Leverkusen youth striker has interest from several top European clubs and is considering a move away from Germany.
According to reports from Sergio Santos, the striker has decided that he wants to play for Real Madrid. The player’s newfound desire to don the white jersey now puts the club in pole position to sign the striker.
Atletico Madrid were said to be keenly interested in Bravo’s signature in the current transfer window. It was also reported that the player had an agreement in place with Diego Simeone’s side.
However, Real Madrid’s entry into the race flipped the restart button. As it became increasingly clear that Florentino Perez was serious in his pursuit of the striker, Bravo’s future moved nearer to the Bernabeu.
The player is indeed inexperienced, but the Madrid offices see him as a potential long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.
The teenager scored four goals and provided three assists in 17 league appearances for the Leverkusen U-19 side in 2021-22. He also recorded three goals with the U-17 outfit of the club last season.
Bravo is expected to play for the Castilla team in his first season at Real Madrid. His performances and integration into the system will determine whether he has a future with the first team.
Leverkusen are willing to let go of their young talent on a two year loan for a fee of €1 million. However, Real Madrid must pay €15 million to make his move permanent at the end of the spell.
The battle is now between the two Madrid based sides. While Atletico Madrid may have upped their offer in recent days, Real Madrid are favourites to sign the player.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
