Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rule out Serie A manager as possible replacement for Arbeloa – report
Real Madrid are on the lookout for a new manager to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp appeared to the most-favoured candidate but a move for him now seems unlikely as he is happy with his current role at the Red Bull group.
Jose Mourinho is another name being heavily linked to the Santiago Bernabeu hotseat, although he still has a year left on his contract at Benfica, who are ready to offer an extension.
Another candidate who is well-appreciated by the Real Madrid hierarchy happens to be AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri.
No move for Allegri
However, according to Matteo Moretto on Radio MARCA, Allegri’s name has been dropped from the managerial shortlist at Real Madrid.
Allegri is a proven manager with a solid CV which contains six Serie A titles and five Coppa Italia trophies. The 58-year-old is currently in his second stint with Milan and has them well-positioned to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
The Italian tactician is well-liked at the club and in fact, Florentino Perez had previously approached him to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Nothing came of it though and while his name was once again under consideration, it seems that Allegri is no longer in the running for the job.
Other names such as Lionel Scaloni, Didier Deschamps, and Mauricio Pochettino are also being considered but their World Cup commitments make things tricky.
The decision ultimately rests with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and it remains to be seen which way he leans.
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.
