Real Madrid News
The reason Arsenal failed to complete Real Madrid academy graduate’s signing this summer
Jacobo Ramon is one of the many Real Madrid talents currently developing at an external club in the hope of securing a return home someday.
Los Blancos sold the player to Como last summer but continue to retain a major stake in his rights, as has been the policy with all youth sales in recent times.
They pocketed a sum of €2.5 million for Ramon’s transfer to Como permanently, but Los Blancos not only retained 50% of his rights but also multiple buy-back options on him.
Interest from London
During the recently concluded summer transfer window, Premier League giants Arsenal were linked with a move for Ramon and monitored him closely. Eventually, however, the deal did not work out.
As confirmed by BBC Sport, the Gunners were indeed interested in signing the La Fabrica talent in the summer transfer window and were monitoring his situation in Serie A closely.
However, certain clauses in his current contract made it difficult for a move to materialise and complicated the affair. Thus, an agreement could not be reached an Arsenal moved on to other targets.
Real Madrid’s tight grip
While there is no clarity on the nature of the clauses that complicated Arsenal’s dream of signing Ramon, they likely had to do with Real Madrid’s stake in the player.
Having multiple buy-back options on the young defender and also holding 50% of his rights, Real Madrid have a tight grip over the young talent’s future.
For Arsenal to sign him, thus, would not only require them to convince the player and his current club but also Florentino Perez and Co., making it an elaborate process of approvals for a simple transfer.
It remains to be seen what materialises for Ramon’s future in the coming transfer windows, and Real Madrid’s decision on his clauses will play a major part in the same.
Given how the club have reinforced the defence and will likely push for another elite centre-back next summer, it is unlikely for Ramon to have a realistic chance of making it big at the club of his dreams.
Real Madrid could, however, buy the player back and act as an intermediary before selling him for a profit, just as they did with Nico Paz.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
