Real Madrid News
Manchester United academy jewel decides to join Real Madrid – report
Things seem to be progressing quickly as Real Madrid continue to pursue a move for Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel.
Real Madrid’s interest is already significant, but the player’s apparent desire to join makes this an increasingly intriguing long-term operation.
According to talkSPORT, via RM4 Arab, Gabriel wants to join Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been working for months on a potential deal for the highly rated youngster.
Gabriel wants Madrid
The latest development matters because Real Madrid are not approaching Gabriel simply as another academy recruit.
Their plan would involve the youngster playing for Castilla, where he could experience senior football in Spain’s third tier, while also representing the Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League.
Born in October 2010, Gabriel remains exceptionally young, so any potential transfer involving him would have to be handled carefully under FIFA regulations concerning minors.
Real Madrid have consequently been operating with considerable discretion around the possibility of signing him.
Viewed as a future first-team player
Real Madrid are signing Gabriel with a view to him becoming a first-team player in the long term.
Castilla contains plenty of promising footballers, but Los Blancos appear to see Gabriel as someone capable of eventually progressing beyond the reserve team and competing for a place at the Bernabeu.
His recent performances have only increased the attention surrounding him.
Gabriel scored a hat-trick for Manchester United in their UEFA Youth League victory over Sabah, a display that brought him plenty of plaudits.
The 15-year-old has long been heralded as one of the biggest English talents around, and Manchester United have been working very hard on his development.
However, it does look like the player’s relationship with the Red Devils has broken down and that he is actively looking for a move away from the club.
There are obviously no guarantees with a player this young. Development is rarely linear, particularly when the jump from youth football to Real Madrid’s first team is enormous.
However, the proposed pathway makes sense. If Gabriel genuinely wants the move as reported, Real Madrid would be pulling off a coup by signing him.
The interest seems clear from both sides, and it remains to be seen whether this develops into a potential transfer situation in the coming days.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
