Real Madrid News
Real Madrid looking to raise €25 million from the sales of Castilla youngsters – report
Real Madrid Castilla were at the doorstep of promotion to the Spanish second division last season. Having made their way through a major part of the playoffs, only one game separated them from a spot in the next division.
However, it was not meant to be. The youth setup failed to get past Eldense at the final hurdle, breaking the hearts of fans across the globe. The result was most harsh on the young and coming talents of La Fabrica who were on the verge of scripting history.
The team is now set to return to the third division for the 2023-24 campaign. The club see it to be the end of a cycle for the youngsters involved and are actively encouraging many of the players to look for a way out. After all, regular minutes at a higher level is critical to their development.
According to reports from MARCA, Los Blancos plan to generate at least €25 million through sales from the academy. All the players sold, however, will only move with the option of a possible return.
Sergio Arribas, Rafa Marin, Carlos Dotor, Alvaro Martin, Marvin Park, Antonio Blanco, Bruno Iglesias, and Julen Jon Guerrero are some of the players the Merengues are looking to move on this summer. Of them, some are in more advanced negotiations than others.
Marin, for instance, is very close to completing a move to Real Betis on loan. The 21-year-old centre-back had suitors from Germany, England, Italy, and Spain but chose to stay within La Liga in the end.
Sergio Arribas is another candidate with no shortage of suitors. The young midfielder has attracted offers from Borussia Dortmund, Girona, and Deportivo Alaves amongst other clubs and is set to make his decision in the coming days. The report suggests Real Madrid will demand €10 million for the attacking midfielder.
Real Madrid’s offices will thus burn the midnight oil in the coming weeks to ensure as many departures from the academy as possible. After all, the efflux is necessary to make space for the upcoming crop of talents.
Real Madrid have identified the midfield department as a key area of the squad that needs strengthening next year.
Having failed to sign Rodri this past summer, the Merengues understand that a major signing is necessary in the position.
Several names have already been linked as potential targets for the Spanish capital club, one of whom happens to be AFC Bournemouth rising star Alex Scott.
Indeed, Real Madrid have scouted the England international this season and are continuing to closely monitor his development in the Premier League.
However, competition for the 23-year-old midfielder’s services is already heating up.
AC Milan eye Alex Scott
Indeed, according to Tutto Mercato (h/t AS), Italian giants AC Milan have set their sights on Scott to replace Real Madrid legend Luka Modric next season.
Modric, at 41, is entering the final phase of his career and his contract with the Rossoneri stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign.
As such, the Serie A heavyweights will need to rope in a replacement and have seemingly identified Scott, who is also on Real Madrid’s radar, as an option.
Apart from AC Milan, even Chelsea and Liverpool have also shown interest in the 23-year-old England star, and might even be willing to make a move for him in January.
This complicates the situation for Real Madrid, who would ideally wait until the summer of 2027 to reinforce their midfield unit.
€50 million for Scott?
Furthermore, the report states that Scott is valued by Bournemouth at around €50 million, a fee that could be an issue for AC Milan.
That figure, however, should not pose a challenge for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the increasing competition for the 23-year-old’s services could drive up the price further, making things complicated.
For now, though, Real Madrid’s interest in Scott has been limited to scouting and monitoring his progress and compiling reports on him.
Whether it translates into a formal approach and offer in the summer or in January itself remains to be seen.
