Real Madrid News
Real Madrid in transfer battle with Man City over 23-year-old Serie A midfield star – report
Real Madrid are currently involved in a transfer race with Manchester City over Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, according to Tuttosport, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo.
The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the most highly-rated midfielders in Italian and European football, drawing attention from top clubs.
At Torino, Ricci has already established himself as a key player, which has caught the interest of both Manchester City and Real Madrid.
City want Ricci to replace Rodri
It is said that Manchester City are keen to secure Ricci’s services as early as January, particularly to cover for Rodri, who is currently sidelined with an injury.
The club sees the Italian as a strong candidate to step into that role. On the other hand, Real Madrid are eyeing a summer move for the Italian, having tracked his development for the past three years.
Although primarily a central midfielder, Ricci is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, making him a versatile option for any team. This flexibility is one of the key reasons why Manchester City are pushing for a January move.
A tough battle
Reports suggest that Carlo Ancelotti is particularly fond of Ricci’s style of play, adding further fuel to Madrid’s pursuit.
Ricci’s contract with Torino runs until 2026, but the Italian side is already working on a renewal that could extend his stay until 2029.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, and he has already become a regular figure for the Italian national team, making his debut in 2022.
For Real Madrid, the need for a central midfielder is clear considering Luka Modric’s uncertain future, especially with their centre-back situation. Although they appear to be ruling out a January approach, they remain open to considering any favourable market opportunities that may arise.
Both Real Madrid and Manchester City are likely to keep close tabs on Ricci’s contract developments with Torino, as his future could shape the next big transfer battle.
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.
