Real Madrid News
Real Madrid interested in 17-year-old Spanish defensive prodigy, offer tabled
According to AS, Real Madrid have set their sights on Malaga’s teenage defensive prodigy Izan Merino and have already made a move to sign him this summer.
A product of the Malaga youth academy, Merino is a centre-back who can also operate in the defensive midfield position.
Despite being just 17 years old, the teenager is already playing for Malaga’s reserve team and has been training with the first-team setup under the orders of manager Sergio Pellicer.
Merino also has three caps for the Spanish Under-17 national team, for whom he made his debut in May earlier this year.
The youngster’s talent and potential have alerted Real Madrid, who have already acted upon their interest in him by tabling an offer.
Indeed, as per the report, the Spanish capital giants have sent in a proposal worth €250,000 for the teenager.
Malaga reluctant to sell
However, Malaga are reluctant to lose one of the gems of their youth system by allowing Merino to leave for Real Madrid.
The club’s sporting director Loren Juarros recently confirmed that Los Blancos are indeed trying to sign the 17-year-old, but they plan on convincing him to stay.
“Real Madrid were interested in Izan quite some time ago and we are stopping them. Izan is a boy with deep roots at the club and we are going to do everything we can to stop him leaving,” he said.
“We want him to stay and Málaga are not considering any other option. Real Madrid have expressed interest, but we’ve never thought about him leaving here.”
Merino has a contract with Malaga until 2025 with a €3 million release clause. It is clear by Juarros’ words that they do not wish to lose the talented youngster this summer.
Whether Real Madrid can convince them to part ways with the teenage defender remains to be seen.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
