Real Madrid News
Mallorca, Almeria leading race to sign Real 21-year-old Madrid academy whizkid
Sergio Arribas is the one player from Real Madrid Castilla for whom the list of suitors only increases with every passing day.
The youngster is one of the most in-demand commodities on the transfer market, especially given that the club have no place for him in the first-team setup under Carlo Ancelotti.
According to reports from Rodra, La Liga clubs RCD Mallorca and UD Almeria are currently the best placed to sign the talented midfielder. Amongst other options, the player has offers from Sevilla and the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid’s demands
Los Blancos are aware of Arribas’ talent, and his departure is seen as a big blow for the club. However, there does not appear to be another way out.
In Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Diaz, and Arda Güler, Ancelotti has rich resources at his disposal for the upcoming campaign for the attacking midfield position.
It would be seemingly impossible to add Arribas to the list and guarantee him minutes, which is a must for his development
That said, the management still wish to maintain some control over his future. Real Madrid thus offer only 50% of the player’s rights and demand a sum of €10 million in exchange.
A special talent
Arribas was one of the Castilla side’s most pioneering forces last season and merits a large part of the credit for their spectacular run.
The midfielder finished as the top-scorer for his side last season, finding the back of the net 20 times in 36 appearances across all competitions. He even played three games for the first team in the 2022-23 campaign, scoring one goal.
A move to a first-division team would guarantee Arribas regular participation at the highest level and boost his development.
While Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is pushing for the youngster to move to Germany, a transfer within Spain is likely.
Mallorca see the 21-year-old to be a replacement for the recently departed Kang-in Lee, while Almeria hope to build their midfield around his profile. Yet, it remains to be seen if either party is willing to meet Real Madrid’s economic demands.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
