Real Madrid News
Real Madrid management want Ancelotti to promote Castilla starlet to first team – report
Just a day after it was reported that Real Madrid CEO Jose Angel Sanchez has asked the Real Madrid coaching staff to make the best use of Castilla players instead of asking for new signings, a report from AS (h/t Madrid Zone) has emerged, claiming that one name that is topping the list is Sergio Arribas.
Arribas, 21, has made 11 appearances across all competitions for the senior team but is yet to open his account for the club.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been excellent for the Castilla team over the past couple of years. This season, the young Spaniard has starred for Raul Gonzalez’s side, scoring nine goals and five assists across 20 games.
A contribution of 14 goals means the youngster is involved in one every 121 minutes, having clocked a total of 1,701 minutes this season.
Impressed by his exploits for the subsidiaries, members of the Real Madrid upper management are pushing for Arribas to be promoted to the senior setup.
It must be noted that manager Carlo Ancelotti has already frozen out the likes of Eden Hazard, Mariano Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola and Jesus Vallejo, meaning that if the team is already aching for bench strength.
This was made evident during the recent 1-3 defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. In all, if Ancelotti is to look for an attacking substitution, he will have to resort back to deploying Federico Valverde on the wings.
Marco Asensio may very well be waiting in the wings but his future is in jeopardy. That leaves the Italian tactician with Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, and Rodrygo as his main and only attacking weapons.
Given the situation, it only makes sense for Ancelotti to call up Arribas, who has performed exceedingly well and would add some depth and freshness to the first-team setup.
Hence comes the request from the upper management to at least try the young gun especially since the team from the capital city will anyway not be making a big money signing this month.
There is no secret that Real Madrid might consider a move for a new striker in the coming summer. With Karim Benzema slowly nearing the end of his career, the club are looking for a viable alternative ahead of the new season.
Carlo Ancelotti has been left impressed by the performances of Rodrygo in the centre forward position. But the club could still use the services of a more recognised option in the number nine position.
The Spanish giants are reportedly assessing La Liga for a potential low-cost option. But they are also open to looking through in other leagues, in their bid to add more depth in the attacking department.
To that end, Fabrizio Romano claims Real Madrid are eyeing a swoop for Roberto Firmino. The Liverpool star has become the latest player to be shortlisted by Los Blancos, with his current contract at Liverpool expiring at the end of the season.
Formerly of TSG Hoffenheim, Firmino has a stellar track record of performing in Europe. He has scored 110 goals in 361 competitive matches during his time at Liverpool, winning the Premier League and the Champions League title.
A centre forward by trade, Roberto is known for his tactical flexibility and the ability to shift into wider areas to build up the player.
It makes him an appealing target for Real Madrid, who would prefer a versatile striker in their ranks that can not only provide cover for Benzema but also the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Real Madrid, though, are yet to hold any discussions with Roberto Firmino just yet. He has just been added to the list of targets and one would expect the Spanish giants to make a move once the season is over and the player becomes a free agent.
