Real Madrid News
Real Madrid Castilla ace will be promoted to the first team next season – report
In an update that does not come as a major surprise, Jose Manuel Moreno is reporting that Real Madrid will officially promote young striker Alvaro Rodriguez to the first team from the Castilla squad next season.
The 18-year-old academy ace has been tipped for a bright future by those within the club. In 23 league games for Raul Gonzalez’s Castilla outfit this season, Rodriguez has scored seven goals and set up two more.
The Uruguayan prospect’s performances for the subsidiary side earned him a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team roster and he made a notable impact in the handful of opportunities that have come his way.
In five La Liga appearances, Rodriguez has scored and assisted one goal apiece and has not looked out of place at the highest level of football.
Manager Ancelotti has spoken highly of the 18-year-old forward on several occasions in the past and had hinted that he could become a first-team member next season.
And, as per the aforementioned report, that is what will happen, with Rodriguez set to be promoted to the first-team squad from next campaign onwards.
It is a necessary move for Real Madrid, who have struggled with a lack of options in the No. 9 slot this season behind captain Karim Benzema.
Mariano Diaz will leave the club as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30. And there are contrary reports emerging on the Merengues’ pursuit of a new striker for next season.
Some are suggesting that Real Madrid could go for a top star like Harry Kane or Dusan Vlahovic this summer.
But others claim that they might opt for a stop-gap solution such as Joselu before pushing for Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe next term.
Either way, Rodriguez is likely to see more first-team minutes next season at Real Madrid and would benefit from training and playing regularly with a player like Benzema and other senior players.
Real Madrid News
Chelsea, Liverpool ready to move for Real Madrid midfield target in January – report
Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Alex Scott’s situation. The AFC Bournemouth midfielder has been impressing in the Premier League and recently made his debut for the England national team.
Given their need for a midfield reinforcement, Real Madrid are tracking the youngster as the Spanish giants believe he could provide a different profile to complement their existing options.
Chelsea, Liverpool ready to move in January
According to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Real Madrid intend to continue monitoring Scott throughout the season before deciding whether to make a move in next summer’s transfer window.
However, they could face competition from the Premier League, with Liverpool and Chelsea also tracking the 23-year-old.
Both Premier League clubs are preparing substantial offers for Scott ahead of the January transfer window.
Bournemouth have placed an €80 million valuation on the midfielder, although the club have no intention of selling him in January and would prefer to consider a departure next summer.
The Cherries are already looking at potential replacements and have identified Fer Lopez as a long-term successor.
Real Madrid prepared to wait until the summer
Real Madrid are already planning their recruitment strategy for next summer, monitoring several players before deciding which targets to pursue when the transfer window opens.
For now, the Merengues are not expected to make a move for Scott in January. Instead, they intend to continue assessing his performances and availability over the coming months.
If the Bournemouth midfielder becomes available from June onwards, the Spanish capital giants will then decide whether to make a formal approach.
Their preference to wait could leave the door open for Liverpool and Chelsea to move first, particularly if either club are prepared to meet Bournemouth’s valuation during the winter window.
In the meantime, Jose Mourinho & co. are also keeping an eye on other options to strengthen their midfield. In fact, recent reports suggest that an enquiry has been made for Napoli star Scott McTominay.
The Scotsman contract with the Serie A side expires in 2028 and with his club not offering a renewal so far, he could emerge as a serious option.
