Real Madrid News
Barcelona intensify contacts with Real Madrid youth target through agent meet – report
Real Madrid have been handed fresh competition in the race for Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel, with Barcelona stepping up their efforts to secure one of Europe’s most highly rated young talents.
Spanish outlet SPORT claims Barcelona sporting director Deco has intensified contact with Gabriel’s agent Ali Barat in recent days, with the player and his family having visited Catalonia last week.
The outlet adds that Deco also met Barat on Saturday as both clubs continue to present their respective projects to the teenager.
Real Madrid still hold financial advantage
The Manchester United talent is not yet 16, but the level of interest surrounding him has made his next move a major transfer story.
He turns 16 on October 6, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both offering a pathway that could eventually lead to first-team football.
For Real Madrid, the financial side of the proposal is believed to be considerably more attractive than Barcelona’s.
Reports have consistently pointed to a higher offer from Los Blancos, giving them a significant weapon in the negotiations.
Real Madrid also have a reason to be particularly determined. After Rodri chose Barcelona despite interest from the Spanish capital, the club do not want another highly rated young player to slip away to their biggest domestic rival.
Gabriel’s case is different, though, as the decision will not simply come down to money, with his sporting development and personal preference also expected to carry considerable weight.
Barcelona find another route into the battle
Deco’s latest meeting with Barat shows that Barça are not prepared to concede the race simply because Real Madrid can offer more financially.
Barcelona are pitching a project in which Gabriel could progress rapidly towards the first team, something Real Madrid are also understood to have offered.
The Catalans therefore need to convince the youngster that their sporting pathway can outweigh the financial difference.
Barat’s relationship with both clubs makes the situation even more confusing.
He is set to become Raphinha’s new adviser at a time when the Brazilian is negotiating a contract renewal with Barcelona, strengthening his professional ties with Deco.
At the same time, Barat has maintained strong connections with Madrid and was recently seen in the Bernabéu’s VIP area during Denzel Dumfries’ presentation.
For Real Madrid, the equation is therefore straightforward but not settled: they have the stronger financial proposal, while Barcelona are attempting to win Gabriel over through their sporting project and existing relationship with his representative.
The final decision is expected within days.
Real Madrid News
Mbappe hits out at claims on his unhappiness at Real Madrid: ‘Angry at my great aunt too’
Kylian Mbappe has been in the news for a plethora of reasons in recent weeks, starting with his injury and surprise vacation. Beyond that, the Ballon d’Or saga has kept him in the spotlight for a reasonable while now.
The Frenchman, after all, has not held back in speaking out about why he deserves to win the prestigious individual award, and while it is perfectly okay to campaign for the award, it is something that has not usually been done in the past.
In terms of his goalscoring numbers, there is no doubt that Mbappe should be a frontrunner for the award. His lack of a single trophy for both club and country, however, works against his chances.
Mbappe’s sarcastic reply to baseless rumours
Earlier today, there were reports of Kylian Mbappe being angry with Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid for not campaigning for him to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The rumours, needless to say, portrayed the player in a very bad light and made it seem like the club not making public gestures to acknowledge and back his campaign affected him personally.
Now, the player has himself come out to lash out at the journalists, albeit in a sarcastic manner. Commenting directly below the post making the claim via Fabrizio Romano, the player wrote,
“Yes, yes, I even got angry with my great aunt too.”
Mbappe’s ability to deal with such reports with a tinge of humour, needless to say, is impressive and it can only be good for his image that he spoke out and cut off the news at its roots.
Set to return
There has been significant concern around Mbappe’s fitness in recent weeks after the player left the French national team with an injury after their first game.
The initial diagnosis appeared worrying, but it soon came to light that the player had avoided a major setback by a hair’s breadth.
Now, there is increasing hope that the Frenchman will be back for Real Madrid’s first game after the break against Villarreal, possibly even as a starter.
Needless to say, that comes as a massive positive for Jose Mourinho’s plans ahead of a crucial stretch of the season.
