Real Madrid News
Real Madrid tracking Brazilian prodigy since 2021, face Premier League competition
Real Madrid have established a solid reputation for nurturing South American talents, with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde enjoying immense success at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent years.
Real Madrid also splurged big on exciting Brazilian talent Endrick earlier in the season. The youngster is set to arrive in Bernabeu in 2024 when he turns 18.
But Endrick was not the last target for Real Madrid as they look to further strengthen the presence of South American talents in the squad. One of their top targets in the region is Matheus Franca.
According to Diario AS, Real Madrid are one of many clubs keeping tabs on Franca, who currently plies his trade for Flamengo. The reigning European champions have been following the young playmaker’s progress since 2021.
An attacking midfielder by trade, Franca is part of Flamengo’s first team. He has featured in 43 competitive appearances for the Brazilian outfit, racking up eight goals.
Flamengo, though, have appeared very reluctant in offloading their star talent on a cut-price deal. They have already rejected €20 million offers from Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle United in the past and have recently renewed the player’s contract until 2027.
Franca’s current deal includes a hefty release clause of €200 million, making it even harder for Real Madrid to even consider a move for the player. Although Flamengo are open to negotiations, it is unlikely that the Brazilian would sell the player for cheap.
Another issue for Real Madrid is the growing competition for Franca’s services. Crystal Palace have become the latest entrant in the race to sign the young Brazilian, who has been courted by other European clubs such as Olympique Lyon, Leverkusen and Newcastle United.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
