Real Madrid News
Spanish club reluctant to sell 17-year-old prospect to Real Madrid: “He and Madrid are finished”
During the course of the recently concluded summer transfer window, Izan Merino was one of the players Real Madrid were targeting, as part of their plans to reinforce the ranks in the youth department.
However, the Spanish giants were not able to complete the signing of the Malaga youngster, as they were asked to pay his €3 million release clause.
Malaga director closes door on player transfer
In a recent interaction, Loren, the sports director of Malaga, closed the door on Izan Merino’s potential move to Real Madrid.
“The Madrid thing was raised, the judge’s order says it: he has a clause. Let them pay the clause and the player decides if he stays or leaves,” Loren said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“He has a youth contract. The normal thing is that he competes with the reserve team. He has no problem having a youth record. From time to time, if he lacks competitiveness with the first team, he will go down to the reserve team,” he added.
A centre-back by trade, Merino has indeed yet to make a professional breakthrough, but it is evident that Malaga rate the player highly.
With that in mind, Loren closed the door on Merino’s move to Real Madrid, adding, “Madrid has put a lot of pressure on him. Izan Merino and Madrid are finished.”
Malaga looking to extend Merino’s contract
As per the report, Malaga now want to further seal Merino’s future at the club by extending his contract.
The defender’s current contract at Malaga runs until 2025, with a release clause worth around €3 million.
However, the new deal could see him not only extend his contract but also increase the valuation of his release clause at Malaga.
Real Madrid, though, may continue to track the progress of the youngster, who has the potential to become a world-class professional in the years to come.
Real Madrid have started the 2023/24 campaign on a strong note, winning six in six across all competitions.
What makes the streak even more impressive is that they have had to do so without a number of key players present.
Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr are still out on the sidelines while Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy have only recently returned from injury.
But, earlier this week, Dani Carvajal became the latest victim of the injury course as he sustained a muscle issue that ruled him out of the match against Union Berlin last night.
Carvajal will undergo MRI tomorrow
Carvajal had been in fine form prior to his injury earlier this week and his absence is certainly a blow.
With a game against Atletico Madrid coming up later this weekend, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic is reporting that the 31-year-old will undergo his MRI scans tomorrow morning.
It should present a clearer picture of the extent of the veteran right-back’s injury following which a potential date for his return could be determined.
Prior to the Union Berlin match, manager Carlo Ancelotti sounded optimistic about Carvajal’s condition, as he said:
“Carvajal has an overload, we prefer not to take any risks. It’s nothing serious, he’ll undergo tests tomorrow and we hope he recovers soon. Carvajal can make it to the derby. The feelings are good.”
But tomorrow’s scans should provide a better picture of how his condition is and when he can make a comeback.
Lucas Vazquez: an able deputy
With Dani Carvajal unavailable, Carlo Ancelotti turned to Lucas Vazquez for the right-back position and the veteran Spaniard did not disappoint last night.
Indeed, the 32-year-old was a regular outlet going forward down the right flank and made six key passes against Union Berlin.
And Ancelotti will count on him again in the derby versus Atleti if Carvajal’s recovery will take longer.
