Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have spent €242 million on Brazilian youngsters in recent years – report
Earlier this week, Real Madrid confirmed the acquisition of yet another Brazilian gem in the form of Endrick Felipe. Just 16 years of age, the attacking prodigy will be arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024, when he turns 18.
Real Madrid splashed a massive sum of €35 million in fixed fees plus €25 million in add-ons to sign Endrick from Palmeiras, beating off competition from the likes of PSG, Chelsea and arch-rivals Barcelona. On top of that, Los Blancos will also be paying €12 million in tax commissions.
Endrick becomes the latest in line of several Brazilian talents that Real Madrid have signed in recent years. After losing out on Neymar to Barcelona, club president Florentino Perez made it a point to recruit the best young talent coming through the ranks in the South American nation.
And this transfer policy has yielded a great degree of success for Real Madrid as well, despite leaving a major dent in their transfer budget.
Indeed, according to Brazilian publication Lance (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the Merengues have spent a total of €242 million on the signing of five Brazilian youngsters in recent times, including the latest acquisition of Endrick.
The 16-year-old stands at the top of the list as the most expensive buy, with the total value of his transfer reaching up to €72 million. Behind him is defender Eder Militao, who was signed from FC Porto in 2019, and cost Real Madrid a sum of €50 million.
The Brazilian defender has become a permanent fixture in the backline for the Spanish giants, and is proving worth every penny that the club spent on him despite a slow start.
The same applies for Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes, who arrived from Flamengo and Santos, respectively and cost Real Madrid a transfer fee of €45 million each.
At the bottom of the list is Reinier Jesus, who Real Madrid signed from Flamengo in a deal worth €30 million. The attacking midfielder, however, is yet to establish himself at the Bernabeu and is currently out on loan at Girona.
The total amount spent on these five Brazilian players comes up to €242 million.
Vinicius Tobias could soon be added to the list as well provided Real Madrid decide to take up the option to make his transfer permanent, which could set them back by another €10 million.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
