Real Madrid News
Manchester United weighing up €80 million summer move for Real Madrid mainstay
Manchester United raided Real Madrid for the signing of Casemiro last summer, but they also had their eyes on another midfielder in Federico Valverde.
And, according to English sources, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United are considering making another attempt to sign Valverde from Real Madrid in the next summer window.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for another midfielder heading into the summer and have been linked with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong relentlessly. They have also held an interest in Real Madrid target Jude Bellingham, although that move looks unlikely to happen.
It has seemingly led to them turning their interest towards Valverde.
The Uruguayan international has established himself as one of the best performers at Real Madrid, although his form has declined after the World Cup break. Nevertheless, he remains a key cog in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
In 30 games this season, the 24-year-old has netted eight goals and set up four more for his teammates across all competitions.
As per the report, Manchester United have set aside a sum of €80 million which they plan to invest in Valverde, although that amount is unlikely to be enough to prise away the midfielder from Real Madrid.
The Merengues handed the midfielder a long-term contract until 2027 which comes with a massive €1 billion release clause.
Valverde is considered an essential member of the team and it is unlikely that Real Madrid will consider any offers for him in the summer, especially at a time when they will have to transition from the ageing duo of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Despite the interest from Manchester United, a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer looks like a distant possibility for Valverde.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
