Real Madrid News
Real Madrid tracking 17-year-old Spanish defensive prodigy
Real Madrid are going all out in their pursuit of local talents. While their search for the next big thing in South America has been publicly known for a long time now, the Spanish market appears to have recently caught the administration’s eye.
The Merengues have been all over rival club academies in recent weeks, especially that of Atletico Madrid. It is said that the club are eyeing as many as five Rojiblanco players of which they have completed at least two.
AS reports another young gem who has caught Real Madrid’s eye. According to the Spanish outlet, Malaga youth player Izan Merino is the latest on their wishlist.
The Spanish centre-back is just 17 years old but has shown maturity beyond his years throughout his development. As a result, his ascent up the ranks has been accelerated.
He began the 2022/23 season with the Juvenil B team as soon was given the push to Juvenil A. His rise did not stop there.
At the tender age of 16, he made his debut for Atletico Malagueno. The Malaga subsidiary team are currently competing for promotion from the third RFEF and the youngster has been an undisputed starter for them.
Merino also regularly trains with the Malaga first team and is expected to make the jump soon. Considering that he just turned 17 last month, his CV is beyond impressive.
If Real Madrid sign the youngster, it would almost certainly be for Raul’s Castilla side where he would be acquainted with the club’s ways.
The prodigy could have what it takes to play for Real Madrid, but a fine-tuning of his skills and experience at the highest level will be required to prepare him for the challenge.
Eden Hazard is one of the Real Madrid players who have vowed to stay at Santiago Bernabeu until the end of his contract. His current deal at the club expires in 2024.
Even though the Real Madrid star has been courted by several MLS and even the Saudi Arabian clubs, the forward has shown no desire to leave Bernabeu just yet. He wants to stay at the club even though Los Blancos are ready to sanction his sale this summer.
In the midst of this drama, a fresh report from Alfredo Matilla suggests Real Madrid are now considering terminating the contract of Eden Hazard.
This comes shortly after a report which claimed that a Real Madrid player who is not out of contract this summer, may shockingly leave the club this summer. Ferland Mendy was a potential candidate, but it appears Hazard has not been ruled out either.
The Belgian international has offered very little since joining from Chelsea in 2019 for a record-breaking €115 million fee. His spell at the Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, while the player has also struggled to impress when given the opportunities.
Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, there is both grief and resentment towards Belgian, who has remained steadfast in his decision to stay at the club. He has a good standing in the team due to his professionalism, but the Real Madrid bosses are determined to get rid of him this summer.
Hazard, after all, is the highest-paid player in the squad and his departure could open up a chunk of the space in the salary mass. But it must be noted that Real Madrid would have to spend a fortune to terminate Hazard’s contract.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos end up splashing the cash in order to get Hazard out of their books this coming summer.
