Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president closely monitoring Manchester City situation – report
Manchester City have found themselves in heaps of trouble, with an independent commission having found the club guilty on 114 of the 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
The bombshell verdict, first reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, threatens to cast a long shadow over City’s trophy-laden era, though sanctions are yet to be decided and the club are expected to appeal.
And the fallout could have significant ramifications across Europe, including for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid watching on
According to SPORT, Real Madrid and other European giants are keeping a close eye on City’s legal process, wary of the possibility that a severe sanction could open the door to some of their players.
The potential punishments range from a fine to a significant points deduction, with the most extreme scenarios even affecting City’s place in the Premier League.
Should the outcome seriously impact the project at the Etihad, the transfer market could suddenly present unexpected opportunities.
City’s squad contains several players Florentino Perez has admired over the years.
Erling Haaland remains the most obvious name, with Real Madrid having long been keen on the Norwegian, though his long-term contract and Real Madrid’s crowded attack make a deal look unrealistic.
Midfield targets in focus
Rayan Cherki and Josko Gvardiol were both previously on the club’s radar, though the latter recently renewed until 2031.
Perhaps more pertinent are the midfielders, an area Real Madrid have been desperate to strengthen.
More tellingly, City signed three players this summer, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez, all of whom had been linked with Real Madrid during their search for an organising midfielder.
A major sanction could potentially force some of those players towards the exit, handing Real Madrid a chance to address a problem that has dragged on across recent windows, particularly after missing out on Rodri this summer.
For now, though, everything hinges on the punishment City ultimately receive. The process could drag on for months, if not years, given the expected appeal, and it does not necessarily mean City will sell their stars.
Nonetheless, Real Madrid will be watching developments with keen interest.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid academy strategy pays off with €210m windfall and 34 Spain internationals – report
Real Madrid’s academy has been a huge success story in recent seasons, even if not many players have found a place in the first team.
Los Blancos have used Castilla as one of the main sources of revenue to fund their first team, and the value of the academy has continued to increase.
According to AS, Madrid generated €210 million from academy-related player operations during the summer.
Meanwhile, 34 players developed at the club have represented Spain across the different men’s national-team age groups during the current international period.
Valdebebas producing players at every level
That international presence stretches from the senior Spain squad, featuring academy products Ivan Fresneda, Victor Munoz and Fran Garcia, all the way down to the Under-16s.
The results at academy level have also been impressive, with Madrid securing the league, Champions Cup, Youth League and Intercontinental Cup.
Behind those results is a structure involving around 300 players, 50 coaches and 40 scouts, with academy director Manuel Fernandez overseeing the project.
The objective is not simply to build youth teams capable of winning trophies. Madrid want players with genuine elite potential.
Some, such as Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch, can eventually help the first team. Others can develop into valuable assets sought by clubs across Europe’s top leagues.
€210 million demonstrates the financial value
The financial pathway has become increasingly important.
Madrid’s €210 million return was driven by several major operations, including €60 million from Como for Nico Paz and €40 million from Fulham for Gonzalo Garcia.
Victor Munoz, Mario Gila, Alvaro Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Palacios and Jacobo were among the other academy products whose moves exceeded €10 million.
Crucially, most of that €210 million came from footballers who never held a permanent first-team squad place.
La Fabrica does not need every player to become a starter
The strongest argument for Madrid’s model is that an academy cannot realistically produce a first-team starter every season when the senior squad is already at such a high level.
Judging La Fabrica only by how many youngsters establish themselves at the Bernabeu therefore misses much of its value.
Madrid are creating several successful outcomes instead: first-team players, internationals and valuable footballers who generate significant transfer income.
Thirty-four Spain representatives and €210 million in one summer tell you that the proof is in the pudding.
Madrid will hope their academy can continue to be as productive in the coming years, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
