Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eyeing 21-year-old playmaker recommended by Modric; Man United also keen
As part of their recruitment strategy, Real Madrid have their eyes across the globe for up-and-coming talent who have the potential to make it big.
It has seen them land players like Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Endrick, among others in recent times, all at a very young age.
Heading into the summer of 2025, Real Madrid have their sights set on another prodigious young talent in Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen.
But now, it appears that another name has piqued their interest.
Real Madrid looking at Martin Baturina
Indeed, according to Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger, Real Madrid are tracking Croatian playmaker Martin Baturina, who plays for Dinamo Zagreb.
Baturina, 21, came through the youth ranks at Dinamo Zagreb and has already gone on to make 128 senior appearances for the club, racking up 16 goals and 32 assists in the process.
The attacking midfielder also has five caps for the Croatian national team and has been attracting interest from several clubs across Europe.
Indeed, this past summer, Baturina had offers from Atletico Madrid, AS Roma, and Fiorentina but opted to continue in Croatia. However, there is a strong possibility that he will leave to take the next step in his career in 2025.
As per the report, Real Madrid have positioned themselves as one of the interested parties, with club captain Luka Modric himself suggesting Baturina’s name.
The 39-year-old veteran knows the youngster having seen him from close quarters with the Croatian national team and has seemingly been convinced of his capabilities, to the extent that he has recommended the player to Real Madrid.
However, Premier League giants Manchester United are also in the hunt to sign Baturina, the report adds, which might complicate matters for Real Madrid.
Baturina is contracted with Dinamo Zagreb until 2028 and is understood to have no release clause in his contract. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid’s interest in the youngster materialises into something more substantial in the coming months.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
